Laura Simpson
After a year of travelling and training, a Dunedin
hairdresser has been named apprentice of the year by the
Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation (Hito).
Laura Simpson, of Scott Base, received the honour at an
awards ceremony in Auckland at the weekend.
The award recognises the apprentice who stands out as a
"rising star" of New Zealand's hairdressing industry.
Having represented New Zealand at the WorldSkills competition
in London in September, the award was recognition of her hard
work and talent.
"After what feels like the hardest 12 months of my life, when
I've done so much training and so much travelling, this is
the greatest reward," she said.
Hito chairwoman Alison Murray said Ms Simpson had shown "huge
commitment".
Others awards presented on the night were: Hito tutor of the
year, Claire Allen, of Servilles Academy; Hito trainer of the
year, Niq James, of Headspace, Christchurch; gold regional
WorldSkills winner, Bethany Tweedale, of Cut and Colour,
Dunedin; silver regional WorldSkills winner, Cait Woodcock,
of Spectra, Palmerston North; a photographic award went to
Arna Ward, of Invercargill; and the protege competition
winner was Kaleb Pritchard, of Blaze, Auckland.
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