Close Shave for Barbering Student in National Final

A Walsall College Barbering student has trimmed his way to the runners up prize in the prestigious British Barbers’ Association National Student Barber of the Year Awards 2017.

Level 3 Barbering student, Luke Russell competed against 200 students across the UK and was awarded second place in the Level 3 Precision, Creative Cut and Finish award category.

Contestants submitted photographic entries and the winners were announced in front of leading industry names at the Barber UK at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 22 May.

The National Student Barber of the Year Awards aims to give students the chance to develop their skills in using advanced techniques to cut men’s hair and facial hair, as well as providing them with a platform to develop their career in the barbering industry.

Luke, 27, won £300 worth of equipment including professional hair clippers and foil razors, as well as men’s hair styling and beard grooming products. He said: “I can’t believe that I’ve come second in national competition. When I submitted my entry I wasn’t sure how it would be received especially as there were a lot of other entries.”

Barbering tutor at Walsall College, Nichola Arrowsmith, said: “Luke started on a Level 2 Barbering course with us and successfully progressed on to the Level 3. In this time he has become a very talented barber with a great passion for the sector and I am certain he will have a very successful career.

“He has worked very hard in his own time to improve his skills which has paid off with this great achievement. He has also joined a very reputable salon, VAAL & VAAL in Chapel Ash where he can carry on enhancing his skills. Well done Luke.”

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