A dedicated young Donegal woman is levelling up in the hairdressing world after an empowering traineeship filled with encouraging mentors.
Shannon Price from Carrigart has just completed her nine-month programme with Donegal Education and Training Board’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service, propelling her towards her goal of becoming a skilled colourist and stylist.
The programme combined classroom learning in Letterkenny with valuable hands-on experience, taking Shannon from a beginner to a skilled salon team member.
Shannon, aged 20, has dreamed of being a hairdresser since she was a little girl. After finishing her Leaving Cert at Mulroy College, she took a summer job at The Hair Shop in Cranford under Paula Hegarty’s guidance, gaining initial experience. The traineeship then formalised her learning journey. Now that she is complete, she will be awarded a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Women’s and Men’s Hairdressing.
Students hone their skills across four days of learning in the classroom and on-the-job work experience on Fridays. A four-week placement block before Christmas immersed students in the true realities of busy salon life.
“I especially love colouring and highlights,” Shannon said, looking back on her practical training. “It’s something I would like to get more experience in because I would like to do that as my number one speciality.”
Shannon Price on her salon practice
Shannon’s tutors – Catherine Gilmore for theory and Donna O’Donnell for practical, both experienced in the field – guided the class from knowledge to application every day.
“Whatever we did in theory in the morning with Catherine, Donna continued in the evening with the practical. We got models to bring in to do our exams on and getting marked straight away and pointers helped a lot.
“There was great support, they help you do the best to your ability. They would never let you say ‘I can’t do this’, they would make you do it until you perfected it and that worked every time.”
As well as staff support, the class gelled well together.
“From day dot we were best friends,” Shannon said.
“It’s just a great support system, if you were feeling down at all, the staff would take you into the office and reassure you that you would get through it.”
This supportive environment extended to Shannon’s experience at The Hair Shop.
“I would get clients gowned up, I would wash hair and Paula would let me do consultations. I would start on highlights and colours and Paula would step in to finish them. Now, since I finished my course, I’ve got so much faster, and Paula would let me do it myself, she has very good faith in me.”
“I love working with Paula for the one-on-one training, I wouldn’t call her my boss, she’s more of a friend.”
Now qualified with her diploma, Shannon is excited for the next step. She has taken up a position at The Hair Shop and also plans to pursue her Level 3 certificate in Derry.
In the past year Shannon has learned that practice makes perfect, and with persistence, success will follow.
“I would definitely recommend Donegal ETB because you are coming out with a Level 2 diploma in 40 weeks.
“You just have to remember that everyone has to start somewhere,” Shannon said.
“Believe in yourself, it will take time to be qualified but you have to stick at it.”
Donegal ETB is currently taking applications for the next full-time Women and Men’s Hairdressing traineeship which starts in September – you can apply online here: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=412329.
They are also accepting applications for a part-time introductory evening course in hairdressing which also starts in September, taking place on Wednesday evenings from 6.00-10.00pm for 28 weeks– apply online here:https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=406606.
Traineeships are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. #EUinMyRegion