An apprentice at Bankz Hair Salon in Portlaoise has beaten off competition from across Ireland as one of four young hairdressers to be chosen on ‘Star Team Ireland’.
Paula Flanagan was one of hundreds of hopefuls who started out in the competition and after interviews and live demonstrations, this was eventually whittled down to 44.
This was further reduced to 22 finalists who were invited to the awards night on Sunday night in the Clayton Hotel.
“It’s a massive achievement,” said her manager Michelle Burke.
“Over the next 10 months, she will get the best training in Ireland and the UK,” she said.
“Anything she learns outside the salon can be taken on board here. She could end up training the trainers,” Michelle said.
Winning a place on this prestigious team provides the four lucky apprentices with the opportunity for training by the greatest names in hairdressing in all aspects of the industry over the next 12 months’ worth €20,000.
Mentor
Their mentor Marcus Cowzer from House of Colour said the team this year showed amazing skills and he looks forward to working with them.
Paula’s dedication was evident from when she first joined, popping in after school to wash hair as a shampoo technician.
She then started her apprenticeship in 2014 and is due to qualify in April.
Michelle said making the ‘Star Team Ireland’ is perfect timing for Pauline, as it will all culminate in her qualifying and also having the benefit of 10 months of expert training.
All the staff from Bankz were at the gala awards night on Sunday.
“We nearly lost the head,” Michelle said, when Paula was announced as one of the four winners.
“We had a really good feeling that she would do well. She herself wasn’t really expecting it,” Michelle said.
However, Michelle and salon owner Barbara Aldritt were delighted, but not entirely surprised.
Massive
“It is such a massive achievement to get through as there were hundreds of applications,” Michelle said.
Bankz has enjoyed success in the competition before, with former employee Clare Fitzgerald making the final 12 in 2015.
Michelle said it was fitting that Pauline was recognised as she is always keen to learn and do training courses.
“She stayed back after work and put a lot of work into it, along with the staff. It really was a team effort,” Michelle said.
“Talking to two or three judges after the awards, they told us that that she just blew them away,” Michelle said.
“She has talent in bucketloads. She is going to go far,” Michelle said.
Bankz is one of the largest five star hair salons in the Midlands, based in the centre of Portlaoise, across from the Odeon cinema.
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