Local Enniskillen hair stylist, Ellen Hallawell, began her journey in hairdressing at the South West College (SWC) Enniskillen campus. Following this, she went on to achieve remarkable success in her career and is currently a Salon Manager at a renowned salon in Australia. Ellen attributes her career success to the training and knowledge she received at South West College, which she says, ‘gave her the confidence and ability to progress in her career.’
Ellen completed her GCSEs at Devenish College, but knew school was not for her. With a passion for hairdressing and inspired by her mother, Ellen chose SWC to pursue her hairdressing dreams. She successfully completed the Level 2 & 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing at the Enniskillen campus, gaining invaluable knowledge and skills with the help of her supportive tutors.
Ellen thoroughly enjoyed the course and excelled in the more hands-on trade. She said, “At SWC, I had an extremely positive experience as my level 2 & 3 hairdressing tutors were not only knowledgeable and supportive but also provided excellent learning opportunities.”
Speaking about her successful career journey, Ellen said: "When I left SWC, I started as a junior stylist in a busy salon. With hard work and dedication, I gradually worked my way up to become a senior stylist, building a large clientele. After five years of being self-employed, I moved to Australia."
She explained, I was apprehensive about getting a job, especially since it was going to be on the other side of the world, nearly 10,000 miles away. However, Ellen's worries were unfounded as her qualifications and skillset allowed her to quickly secure a position as a junior stylist at a renowned blow dry bar in Sydney. Here, her exceptional skill set, and leadership abilities caught the attention of the salon owner, propelling her through the ranks to her current role as Salon Manager.
Upon speaking to Ellen, she highly recommends South West College to anyone considering a career in hairdressing.