Trainee hairdressers, beauty therapists, travel representatives, chefs and restaurant managers were treated to a glittering awards ceremony at West Nottinghamshire College.

The event, held in the college’s Refined fine dining restaurant on Wednesday (9 May), was to celebrate their efforts and contributions to their programmes during the last academic year.

More than 20 students from the hairdressing and beauty courses, travel and tourism as well as hospitality and catering joined family, friends and tutors at the awards ceremony, which included a two-course meal, cooked and served by students who are currently studying catering programmes.

The event was organised entirely by students on the Foundation Degree in Tourism and Events Management as part of their curriculum.

Curriculum managers from the Lifestyle Academy handed out certificates of achievement and Love To Shop vouchers to students for Achievement, Most Progressed and Most Professional.

Awards in travel and tourism went to:

Outstanding Travel and Tourism Industry Standards – Lisa Wan

Travel and Tourism Learner of the Year – Charlotte Stirland

Travel and Tourism Most Improved Learner – Jade Fowler

Travel and Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year – Beth Lyons

Travel and Tourism Independent Learner of the Year – Digby Edwards-Walsh

Awards in hairdressing went to:

Outstanding Professional Standards in Hairdressing and Client Care – Heather Newbutt

Retailer of the Year – Janice Guzikowski

Outstanding Achievement in Hairdressing – Samantha Skeavington

Aspiring Colour Technician – Kerry Duffy

Creative Hairdressing Skills – Kerry Ellis

Awards in beauty therapy went to:

Outstanding Professional Standards in Beauty and Client Care – Katarzyna Giermek

Outstanding Achievement in Beauty and Make-up – Sandra Iwania

Make-up Artist of the Year – Maisie Morton

Mentor of the Year – Karen Albrighton

Awards in catering and hospitality went to:

Outstanding Professional Standards in Hospitality – Jordan Booth

Chef of the Year – Aaron Matthews

Front of House Learner of the Year – Kelsa Thirlaway

Most Recognised Learner Through Customer Feedback – Dominic Smith

Hospitality Independent Learner of the Year – Lucy Wilcockson

The group also staged a charity tombola to support the homelessness charity, Framework, along with a range of table games for guests to enjoy. Prizes up for grabs included tea for two at Nottingham’s Crowne Plaza hotel.

A total of £91.52 was raised on the night for the charity.

One of the event organisers, Gemma Vasey, 20, said: “It was a wonderful event to organise and be a part of. To see this through from beginning to end was a real privilege.

“A lot of effort and planning goes into making a large event come together smoothly and your attention has to be spot on.

“I’ve now completed my fifth year at the college – it’s been a rollercoaster but very much worth it and next I’m hoping to go into employment in the travel and tourism industry.”

Pictured is beauty student Karen Albrighton collecting her Mentor of the Year award from Sarah Morley, curriculum manager – hair, beauty and spa.