Ellie-Mae nails it with highly commended competition recognition

A Walsall College beauty student is overjoyed after achieving recognition in one of the UK’s biggest competitions for industry professionals in the making.

Ellie Mae Bracknell was highly commended in the nail technician category of World Skills UK.

The Level 3 student impressed judges by creating nail tips on the theme of sustainability and adding these to a model’s hand within three hours.

Her designs included a 3D turtle caught in a black bin bag, a miniature globe featuring a butterfly, a CO2 cloud above an ocean and a tree with a lightbulb decorated with a bee charm.  These were all used to promote environmental and animal welfare.

She also added gold sea shells and a starfish to the other nail tips.

Winners for all the WorldSkills UK national finals were announced at a ceremony held at The Bridgwater Hall in Manchester.

“I’m so happy my hard work has been recognised,” said Ellie-Mae.  “Hearing my name called out during the competition’s closing ceremony was an amazing feeling, especially as my tutors, parents and best friend were all there with me.

“The ceremony itself was special.  I was blown away by all the different skilled and talented people coming together in one room.  The experience of being part of that will stay with me for a long time.”

The WorldSkills UK competition focuses on the roles and skills of a nail technician, bringing in creative tasks which reflect current trends within the nail industry.

Ellie Mae was one of eight national finalists.  The competition also saw her tasked with adding pink and white French tips to a model’s hands.

Ellie-Mae continued: “The 30 or so hours I spent practising my design techniques and the support I had from my tutors in the run up to the competition helped with my confidence.

“I wasn’t at all nervous on the day.  I actually quite it enjoyed it.

“I was really happy with my designs,” Ellie-Mae added.  “The advance planning I’d done had been crucial to my vision.  Combined with everyone’s good luck and congratulatory messages on my social media, I’m in a good position to build up my career as a nail technician once I’ve finished my studies.  I’m also keen to train in other areas such as laser treatments.”

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