When Katie joined Reds Hair Company in Ross-on-Wye as an apprentice, she knew the salon had a reputation for excellence and was known for participating in the international WorldSkills Competition. What she didn’t realise was how successful stylists at Reds had been at WorldSkills and just how big the competition truly was.
“When I started at Reds, Charlotte, another apprentice, was training for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. I watched her put in countless hours, and the results spoke for themselves, her skills were next level. And then I saw the size of the actual competition. That lit a spark in me. I remember thinking, I want to be that good. It surprised me, because I’d never seen myself as competitive before.”
Katie had started sixth form, but she decided she wanted a more practical way of learning. She had always had an interest in hair styling, and she sought work experience at Reds Hair Company. Enjoying the placement, she secured an apprenticeship and hasn’t looked back. Quick to recognise Katie’s talents, Reds Hair Company entered her into the WorldSkills UK Competitions where she won Gold at the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2024 and was named the best young Hairdresser in the UK.
After delivering a strong performance at EuroSkills Herning 2025, Katie and her Training Manager, Linzi Weare, who is the Client Services Director at Reds Hair Company, have been training across the UK and internationally. The training is focused on helping Katie perfect her skills under the pressure of timed competition conditions, but it has also had a transformative impact on her career.
“Everything I’ve learned through WorldSkills UK training has made me a stronger stylist. My technical skills have improved, but it’s also developed my communication, confidence and ability to perform under pressure, all skills I use every day at Reds Hair Company” explains Katie.
Katie believes her success so far with WorldSkills UK has shown that choosing an apprenticeship was the best move for her career and keen to encourage others to take part on the competitions. “If you’re thinking about entering WorldSkills UK, my advice is simple: go for it. It’s an experience unlike anything else, and the opportunities it can open up are endless, I genuinely believe it’s made me a better stylist.”
