Bridget Haren apprentice wins at WorldSkills Ireland

Apprentice Laoibhse O’Malley, in her third year at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty, showcased her skills across six categories

An Ennis native has cemented herself as a young stylist to watch by taking first place in the hairdressing category at WorldSkills Ireland. 
  
Laoibhse O’Malley, a third-year apprentice at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty, competed in the three-day event in Dublin where she showcased her skills across six categories including catwalk fashion, ladies’ festival look, ladies’ commercial colour, and men’s colour, and cut. 
 
WorldSkills Ireland – a collaborative initiative between enterprise, industry, education, training, and the government – was set up to elevate the profile of skills and apprenticeships. As such, it is committed to creating and supporting the next generation with future-proof skills for enduring careers.  
 
Laoibhse said: “I’m just over the moon with the result. I’m grateful to my mentors in the salon, Bridget, Emma, and Melitta and the entire team for their invaluable help preparing for this competition. Also, Thomas Downes and all my educators in college were an amazing support.” 
 
Ray English, chairman of WorldSkills Ireland, added: “Skills and apprenticeship programmes are the lifeblood of many Irish businesses. To secure the evolution of Ireland’s economy and its place as a global leader, nurturing talent and encouraging the next generation to consider a skills-based career is vitally important, which is what we’re hoping to achieve through WorldSkills Ireland 2023.” 
 

For more stories, click here >