I am delighted to nominate Lilly Rae Ashford for the Learner of the Year Award. Lilly is an exceptional young professional whose drive, progression, and dedication to the hairdressing industry make her truly deserving of this recognition. Now in her third year at the college, Lilly has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment, completing both her Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications ahead of schedule. She is a positive influence within the department and a role model to her peers, offering support, encouragement, and guidance to fellow Level 3 learners and beyond. Her personal growth has been remarkable, and her professional development even more so. Lilly is now undertaking her Level 4 Salon Management qualification, where she has taken on additional responsibilities including supporting the adult Level 3 class as part of her management development. She approaches this role with maturity, professionalism, and genuine care for the learners she assists.
Lilly-Rae said: “I was very shocked to be awarded this I have progressed right through from level 2 and have loved all my courses as I have always wanted to do hair. My tutor was an inspiration and built my confidence. I would 100% recommend the course as it has prepared me for the future with the experience you get with clients. In the future I would like to teach others to be an assessor.”
Lilly-Rae's journey is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through hard work, ambition and a genuine passion for your chosen career. Having successfully progressed from Level 2 through to Level 4, she has continually embraced new challenges and opportunities, developing not only her technical skills but also her confidence as a leader and mentor. Her willingness to support fellow learners and contribute to the wider college community demonstrates the qualities of a future industry professional and educator. We are incredibly proud of Lilly-Rae's achievements and her well-deserved recognition as Hairdressing Student of the Year, and we look forward to seeing her continue to inspire others as she pursues her ambition of teaching and assessing the next generation of hairdressers.