Centre: Coleg Cambria
Qualifications:
VTCT Level 1 Diploma in Hairdressing
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing
VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing
Competitor and winner of numerous competitions, including winner of the Hair Council Student of the Year awards two years running, Jurgita Allan is a force to be reckoned with. She has ambition in her sights and always aims high.
“Three years ago I enrolled onto a level 1 Hairdressing course at Coleg Cambria and it was the best decision I have ever made.
Prior to this I had followed my mums dream and completed a degree. I always wanted to be a hairstylist but it wasn’t the right time because of difficult life events. But it came to that point where it was NOW or NEVER.
Coleg Cambria has supported me to grow personally and professionally. It has given me knowledge that I was craving and a good start to reach one of my life goals to become a successful hairdresser. My tutors have always been supportive and challenging.
During my level 2 qualification my tutor Michelle Jones encouraged me to join the new competition workshops she was starting to run and became a mentor to a few of us interested in competition work. We practiced different skills in our evening sessions, these were relaxed, informative and really encouraged creativity.
We took part in the NHF Blackpool competitions and entered a number of other competitions between us all. I was asked to enter the Level 2 UK hairdressing student of the year 2016 competition which was a red carpet themed photographic entry.
I was so pleased when I was chosen to go to the final at the L’Oreal Studios in Hammersmith London. I practiced lots and put a lot of effort into choosing the correct outfit and overall look for my model. My tutor worked with me a lot to educate me on the Hair Council and what being a state registered hairdresser was all about. When I planned for my interview stage of the competition I was able to confidently discuss Hair Council and come up with my own ideas as to how I felt it could be developed.
I was so happy to go on to win the award of Level 2 UK Student of the Year!
During 2016/17 I have been studying NVQ level 3 and I have continued to attend the competition workshops where my tutor has helped me to develop my cutting skills to be able to create sharper looks that I always dreamed of being able to do.
In 2017 I have entered Blackpool competitions, Wella Xposure, where I reached the regional finals and also won the Level 3 Hair Council Student of the Year award. Once again I was thrilled to reach the final with a creative hair cut and colour entry that I had found challenging. We have made real progress with state registration and pre-registration so I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss this once again with the judges.
At the final I set about creating my planned overall look and was pleased that the judges also liked my strong Sassoon inspired look. I am so proud and pleased to have won the Hair Council award for the second year in a row.
This last year has opened so many opportunities and has enabled me to grow as a stylist and a person. I have been so proud to use SRH after my name and l have been so much more aware of the importance of state registration which I have been promoting within Coleg Cambria and my social media platforms.
I have met some amazing inspirational people over the last year such as Ann Weck, Patrick Cameron, Keith Conniford and a number of other great people that have given me advice and feedback on my work. I have already been fortunate enough to attend the annual afternoon tea party at the House of Commons with Hair Council for a second year in a row and this year I was lucky enough to Meet Patrick Cameron.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunities that may arise from winning this amazing competition. I have won a day shadowing Andrew Barton at his Urban Retreat salon and also a lunch with Sophia Hilton.
I have worked really hard over the past few years to become a well educated hairstylist and I have made sure that I put in the extra hours needed to practice and gain work experience within local salons. I feel over the last three years Coleg Cambria have supported me in developing the skills, creativity and professionalism to do well in the hairdressing industry.
As I leave college I will now be starting work in Saks Chester and I am looking forward to gaining more experience, following the SAKS training program and attending additional courses to further help me develop within my career.
I am keen to continue supporting the Hair Council and the aim to make State Registration mandatory. I hope to become involved in this more with in the future as they look to develop the Junior Council.
My advice for future/current hair students would be to follow their dreams and aim high. There are sometimes people thinking differently and thinking you will fail and that hairdressing is not a good profession but it truly is.
Don’t be shy of putting in the hard work and extra hours and somedays creativity isn’t always there. On these days don’t give up; wake-up to a new day and try again! Hairdressing is not an easy profession but if you are passionate and enjoy working with people and being creative then it can be the most rewarding experience. If you are able – enter competitions. They are a great experience and really stretch and challenge you to become a better hairdresser. It’s a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to see the talent within our industry.”