Fifteen hairdressing apprentices from south Wales and Gloucester are preparing for a work experience opportunity of a lifetime in Cyprus.
The fifteen apprentices all set for their visit to Cyprus.
Bethan Williams, 18, from Lazarou, Sian Charlton, 19, from YUME, Kirsty Lynn, 23, from Cutting Edge and Tiegan John, 18 and Joel Perrington, 18, from Ocean Hair, Llanishen, will fly out to Cyprus on April 9th. They will divide their sixteen day visit between working in Cypriot salons and attending cutting, hair up and colouring workshops at The Hair and Beauty Academy in Paphos.
To prepare them for the experience they have been taking Greek lessons to help them converse with their hosts.
It’s the most ambitious work experience placement to date arranged by award-winning ISA Training, based in Bridgend, who are the largest independent hair and beauty training provider in Wales.
A total of fifteen apprentices from South Wales and Gloucestershire and two staff members are involved in the visit, which is being arranged as part of the company’s Oyster Project, which is based on the saying ‘The world is your oyster’. The project aims to enhance the learning experience of apprentices, increase their confidence and broaden their career horizons.
Funding support is being provided by Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, which offers exciting opportunities for UK leaners to study, work, volunteer, teach and train abroad in Europe.
ISA Training, which has arranged previous visits to Spain, Cyprus, Poland, Turkey and New York, is now seeking funding support for future trips to Spain, London and Finland. Last year, the company welcomed learners from Poland, Spain and Turkey as part of an exchange programme.
“This is the biggest work experience project we have organised to date,” said Clare Jeffries, head of apprenticeships at ISA Training. “We were successful at bidding for funding from Erasmus Plus to take fifteen learners and two members of staff to Paphos for sixteen days.
“The learners will really be able to immerse themselves in the Cypriot way of hairdressing and training and, on returning to their salons, will be able to impart what they have learnt to their colleagues.”
As well as working and learning, the apprentices will also enjoy cultural trips including a visit to the Tombs of the Kings.
For Kirsty, who lives in Barry and is working towards an Apprenticeship in hairdressing, it will be her second foreign visit with ISA Training, having travelled to Poland last year. “It’s another exciting opportunity to be going to Cyprus,” she said. “The Poland trip was really good but the visit to Cyprus is going to be a lot more hands-on and I’m looking forward to it. The hair-up techniques in Poland were quite different to what we do and it will be interesting to see how they do things in Cyprus.”
Sian, who lives in Llanrumney and is working towards a Foundation Apprenticeship in hairdressing, said: “The Cyprus visit is going to be a really good experience and I’m looking forward to learning new skills. I have always wanted to work abroad and see different cutting and hair-up techniques.”
Bethan, who lives in Cardiff and is working towards a Foundation Apprenticeship in hairdressing, said: “It’s going to be a great experience and I’m looking forward to seeing how they blow-dry and cut hair, because every salon work differently. My ambition is to build up my clients and to be the best hairdresser that I can be.”
Joel Perrington, who lives in Whitchurch and is working towards a Foundation Apprenticeship in hairdressing, said: “I am really excited about the opportunity and looking forward to attending The Hair and Beauty Academy. It will be a great experience to learn more about hairdressing in another country.”
Workmate Tiegan, who lies in Cardiff and is working towards a Foundation Apprenticeship in hairdressing, said: “I am looking forward to seeing the differences between hairdressing in Wales ad Cyprus. I am focused on getting qualified and gaining as much experience as possible.”
The other apprentices selected for the Cyprus visit are Harriet Young from Jazz, Magor, Abbie May, from Friends, Newport, Danielle Bernard from Allen Sadler, Penarth, Hannah Voisey from Cracked Actors, Caerphilly, Luca Sparey from Spirit Hair Team, Ystrad Mynach, Chloe Woodland from Hairstop, Llantrisant, Zoe Keat from Nicholas White Hairdressing, Cheltenham, Georgia Davenport from Shades, Laleston, Chelsea Williams from Emily Elizabeth, Tonypandy and Harley Lewis from Ocean Hair, Saundersfoot.
They will be accompanied by ISA Training staff Cheryl Pearcey and Lisa Lee.
Tiegan John and Joel Perrington from Ocean Hair, Llanishen.
