Two students from North Kent College have secured places in the regional heats of the highly competitive WorldSkills UK Competition 2026.
Lily Orwell, a Level 1 Hairdressing student, has successfully progressed through the initial selection stage of the WorldSkills UK Hairdressing Competition 2026 and will now compete in the Eastern Regional Heat, taking place on Tuesday 2 June in Wisbech.
The competition, delivered in partnership with leading industry brand L’Oreal, received a record number of entries this year, and organisers highlighted the high standard of submissions.
The regional heats will see Lily take part in a live competition, completing two hairdressing tests that have been set in advance. These challenges are designed to assess a wide range of industry-relevant skills, including cutting, colouring, styling, time management, creativity and client care.
Frankie Margione, Deputy Head of Curriculum for Hair, Beauty, Spa and Make-up Artistry at North Kent College said:
"We are incredibly proud of Lily for reaching this stage of the WorldSkills UK competition. This achievement reflects her talent, skill and dedication, and competitions like this give our students invaluable experience, helping them build confidence, resilience and the professional standards needed to succeed in the hairdressing industry."
The college is also celebrating success in another category, with Level 2 Beauty student Molly Askins qualifying for the next stage of the WorldSkills UK Beauty Therapist 2026 competition. The competition focuses on the role and responsibilities of a professional beauty therapist, requiring competitors to demonstrate a wide range of practical and professional skills. These include delivering both current and traditional beauty therapy treatments such as facials, make-up application, manicure and pedicure services, and lash and brow treatments, alongside demonstrating excellence in customer service, health and safety, and client care.
WorldSkills UK is a four-nation partnership between education, industry and governments, working to position the UK as a leading skills economy. It aims to boost the profile of technical education while supporting economic growth, job creation and investment.
Participation in competitions such as WorldSkills UK is one way that North Kent College delivers industry-aligned education. As a recognised Lee Stafford Academy, students benefit from hands-on training, exposure to live briefs, and opportunities to engage with leading employers and brands. Tutors are highly qualified hairdressers, with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience behind them. Everything is geared towards ensuring learners are well-prepared for employment or further progression within the hair and beauty sector.
The national finals of the WorldSkills UK Competition are scheduled to take place in Wales during the week commencing 16 November 2026, where the UK’s top-performing students will compete for national recognition.
Find out more about studying hairdressing and barbering and beauty at North Kent College: