Coláiste Dhúlaigh celebrates inaugural National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Graduation

Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education celebrated the first completers of their National Hairdressing Apprenticeship last week at a ceremony hosted by RTE’s Nuala Carey.

Eight graduates of the NHA at CDCFE showcased their final work at the capstone event which was held in Fallon & Byrne.

Hairstyling was combined with fashion and makeup to create stunning looks on models at the show.

The Apprenticeship graduates have been studying hairdressing for three years, working both in professional hair salons and in CDCFE’s Kilbarrack campus salon “Cabello”.

With a mix of on and off the job experience, the apprentices were able to “earn while they learn”, working four days a week and studying for one.

The only qualification of its kind in Ireland, the apprenticeship graduates now join the ranks of fully qualified hairdressers, with the QQI Level 6 award recognised both in Ireland and internationally.

The event was attended by representatives from mentoring partners such as Zeba and Cats Hair Salon, as well as delegates from the City of Dublin ETB and the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship steering group.

CDCFE’s Principal Patricia O’Brien Brennan commended the dedication of the course participants, as well as the hard work from the staff involved from the inception of this unique apprenticeship which is funded by Solas.

Programme Director Kevin Cahill said “As the first graduates, we are so proud of all that these Apprentices have accomplished.

“We now have four cohorts in our Kilbarrack campus NHA programme, and they are the future of hairdressing”.

For more information about the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship and other courses on offer at Coláiste Dhúlaigh, visit cdcfe.ie.