Inkfish stylists Carla Fairburn and Tori Prescott demonstrate cutting techniques to students at the competition launch
(click image to enlarge)
Cornish students are being given a helping hand in the employment market with a competition to secure a job before leaving college.
Truro-based hair and beauty salon Inkfish will pit hairdressing students at Cornwall College against each other in a series of challenges with the winner being offered a year's paid employment with the company.
The twenty teenagers taking part, all studying the full-time Hairdressing NVQ Diploma Level 2 course, have already been judged on their cutting techniques in the first stage of the competition. The next stage will see them creating concept mood boards before practicing their creative ideas on clients in preparation for a professional photo shoot.
Inkfish already employs Cornwall College apprentices but decided to offer full-time students a chance to kick start their careers.
Salon owner Vidette Chivers, said: "I've employed nine apprentices across both hair and beauty disciplines through Cornwall College and always enjoyed a great working relationship with the team there. I've worked closely with both the tutors and the students on this project, so I'm excited to see the level of talent the students have to offer over the next few months."
Traci French, Hairdressing Programme Manager at Cornwall College Camborne, said: "Inkfish has a great reputation locally and train their own apprentices to very high standards, so this gives our full-time students a great chance to work with the team and add a commercial aspect to their studies. The final prize presents a fantastic opportunity for the winning student."
Student Aimee Moon, 18, said: "I'm really excited to be working with such a high profile salon and I've worked hard to prepare myself for the competition. I can't wait to try some of the more difficult techniques that are so fashionable right now."
Fellow participant Wassim Imchichi, 17 from Illogan, added: "It's a great opportunity and really adds something to the course, making everyone enthusiastic and spurring them on. I've practiced simple techniques but I'm going to tackle the more difficult ones as I like a challenge."
The eventual winner will be revealed by Vidette and her team at Inkfish in May and the lucky student will start work in the summer after completing their college course.
