Hayden Cassidy and Paul Skerritt, along with compere Garry Spencer from the Great British Barber Bash, transformed the hair of four volunteers using the latest on-trend techniques in front of a live audience of students, staff and representatives from local hair salons.
The team also took a series of questions and answers from the audience as they worked on their models. The three are all professional barbers who have a prolific social media following. As well as taking questions on the haircuts, there were questions on the business side of things such as marketing. The team also held a CPD session with Royal Leamington College’s hairdressing and barbering lecturers before the show.
Sam Jocelyn-Sears, Head of Hair and Beauty at Royal Leamington Spa College, said: “This was truly an inspirational event for both staff and students alike. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet local employers, some of them ex-students, and bring our four hair, beauty and barbering campuses across the college group together. Barbering is a growth industry and we have recently added a number barbering courses that will start in September across our colleges at Rugby, Evesham and Malvern as well as here in Leamington.”
“All who attended were totally mesmerised by Hayden and Paul and I have since been stopped in corridors by so many students and staff who have commented on what a great event it was. Our barbers in particular, had a real enthusiasm the next day in their commercial session - it was great to watch them carrying out some of the tips they had learnt. One student who follows Hayden on Instagram, asked her to follow him back which she did without hesitation - he was completely ecstatic about it and couldn't stop smiling!”
Eighteen-year-old student Jevan Jewitt who is studying Level 2 in Barbering at Royal Leamington Spa College, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the barber bash! I felt really motivated by this event and learnt a handful of new tricks and tips!"
The Great British Barber Bash was established five years ago to educate people on modern barbering. Event organiser Garry Spencer said: “We had a great time at Leamington College. The team were fabulous and the atmosphere and hospitality were both fantastic. We love visiting colleges like this as it is so important for us to show what barbering can be as a profession. Meeting the top barbers is essential for any young person who wants to get involved in the industry. It provides the opportunity to find out about their personal journey, how they got there and how they stay motivated and inspired.”
WCG offers a range of courses and apprenticeships in hairdressing and barbering across its Warwickshire and Worcestershire Colleges. For more information, go to www.wcg.ac.uk or call 0300 456 0049.
