College News

Hairdressing student makes the final cut in national competition

For the second year running, a Solihull College student has proved to be a cut above the rest after being shortlisted for the national Hairdressing Student of the Year Award – run by L’Oreal and the Hairdressing Council.

22 year old Aaron Middleton is one of only eight hairdressing students in the UK to be shortlisted from an original entry of a 1000 in the prestigious competition which was won last year by former Solihull College student Jon De Francesco.

After working in a bank for two years, Aaron returned to learning in a bid to pursue his dream career and completed his Level Two NVQ in Hairdressing with the College in just seven months. Aaron now works at local salon Cudmore and Co and is training for a Level Three NVQ at the College’s Woodlands campus.

He will be travelling to the L’Oreal Academy in London next week to compete for the title where he’ll be asked to create a ‘hair up’ style on his model and be interviewed by a panel of judges.

The winner will be then be announced at a glitzy ceremony held at Salon International – also in London, on the 17^th October.

Aaron said: “When I found out my tutor had nominated me for the award I was really pleased but when I found out I’d actually been shortlisted, I couldn’t believe it. I love working with people and being creative and hairdressing allows me to do both which is why I enjoy it so much. It’s great to have my work recognised and I’m now really looking forward to competing in London.”

Yvonne Malpass, the College’s Head of School for Hair and Beauty is also delighted with the news: “We’re thrilled that for the second year running, our students have stood out from the rest and impressed the judges of this prestigious competition. We are really proud of Aaron and wish him the very best of luck, we know he has what it takes to go all the way.”