Dumfries and Galloway College (DGC) was delighted to welcome back two former students with a flair for hair for a special training session with current learners.
Kiya Courtney and Katie Dougan dropped in to do a colour training session with hairdressing students at DGC’s Stranraer campus.
They both now work for Tres Chic Salon in Stranraer, which is owned by Maureen Henry, who is committed to helping train future hair stylists.
Kiya Courtney said: “I left school early and came to college 2013 and completed my Intermediate 2 Hairdressing and then progressed to Higher hairdressing while working in the salon to gain extra experience.
“After spending a couple of years in the salon I decided to study further for an HNC in hairdressing.
“During my time still working in the salon I became self-employed in Tres Chic Hair Salon in Stranraer within that time.”
Katie Dougan added: “I started at Stranraer Campus in 2014 and I absolutely loved it — the hairdressing lecturers were very friendly and patient.
“I can remember starting at the basics such as shampooing, blowdrying and realising how much thought had to go into each of the elements of working on hair.
“I had lots of opportunity to use my own creativity and ideas during my time at college — one in particular I fondly remember where I had to create a mood board for our Styling for a Total Look Unit and then be able to figure out how to bring our ideas to life on our models.
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start working in Tres Chic and I’m now a self-employed hairdresser — I’ve been in Tres Chic for almost 8 years and absolutely love my job.”
Salon owner Maureen Henry said: “I feel as a salon owner who is still so passionate about our creative, fast-moving industry that is so fundamentally important to support the teaching of our craft.
“Being able to reach out and take part in the students journey by interaction with Dumfries and Galloway College-Stranraer Campus has been made so accessible by all within the hairdressing department.
“Work placement is an essential part of making prospective junior stylists ready for employment.”
