National honours shine spotlight on Coleg Cambria’s growing influence in hair and beauty education

A further education provider helping shape the next generation of hair and beauty professionals has received national recognition after its staff, campuses and pioneering approach were honoured at two of the industry’s most respected awards programmes.

Coleg Cambria celebrated success at the prestigious Concept Hair Recognition Awards, where Hair technician Jackie Holland received the Unsung Hero Award and Julie Guzzo, Curriculum Director of Technical Studies, was presented with the coveted Services to the Industry Award for her outstanding contribution to the profession.

The awards recognise excellence across the UK hair and beauty sector, celebrating the educators, technicians, teams and organisations driving standards, innovation and future talent.

The success follows a strong showing for the college, with the Deeside campus shortlisted for the Services to the Industry Award and Wrexham Yale reaching the finals in both the Team of the Year and Unsung Hero categories.

Cambria has also been shortlisted in the VTCT Skills Excellence Awards, with its Deeside campus nominated for College of the Year and Hairdressing lecturer Kelly Pasicznyk named a finalist for Educator of the Year.

The recognition reflects the college’s commitment to combining technical excellence with industry relevance, providing learners with commercial experience while responding to changing client needs and widening access to specialist services.

Central to that approach is the Cosmetology Centre at Deeside, an innovative training facility that combines education with community outreach, offering oncology massage, inclusive beauty treatments and specialist haircare for people who might otherwise struggle to access such services.

The awards also underline the growing importance of colleges in supporting workforce development, raising professional standards and helping the industry respond to increasing demand for inclusive, client-centred services.

Julie Guzzo said receiving the Services to the Industry Award was a proud moment for the whole team.

“These awards reflect what our staff and learners actually do every day,” she said.

“We’re delivering high-quality technical education, but we’re also creating opportunities that matter to the wider community and to the future of the industry.

“The Cosmetology Centre has given learners a real platform – modern, inclusive and genuinely supportive. We’re proud of what’s been built here in a short space of time, and it’s wonderful to see that recognised nationally.”

The VTCT College of the Year award celebrates colleges demonstrating exceptional educational standards, inclusive learning environments and strong progression outcomes, while Educator of the Year recognises teaching professionals inspiring the next generation of industry talent.

At Deeside, learners gain practical commercial experience by working alongside experienced professionals in specialist areas including inclusive beauty treatments, oncology support services and specialist haircare.

Since opening last November, the Cosmetology Centre has provided students with access to industry-standard equipment and live client experience while welcoming community groups, wellbeing organisations and individuals facing barriers to traditional salon services.

Vicky Edwards, Vice Principal of Technical Studies, said the awards reflected the ambition behind the facility and the dedication of the team.

“We wanted to create something genuinely sector-leading that would benefit learners, industry and the community,” she said.

“To see Jackie recognised as Unsung Hero, Julie honoured for her contribution to the industry, and our campuses and staff reaching the finals across multiple categories is a fantastic achievement. It is recognition of the passion, professionalism and care shown by everyone involved every day.”

Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies at Deeside, added: “What makes this meaningful is the way learners, staff and community partners have come together around something centred on confidence and opportunity for everyone.

“We are incredibly proud of all our finalists. Their success reflects the supportive, inclusive culture we have built at Coleg Cambria and the positive difference they make to people’s lives.”