All Ucol hair and beauty students pass international exam

UCOL Wairarapa beautician Diana Cranston-Gray is ecstatic after 18 months of weekly commuting to and from Ohakune and regularly leaving behind her new husband to have passed international exams along with her entire class.
"I got married in December and the hardest part was getting up at 4.30am every Monday morning to come down here and leaving behind my husband and my cats."
Mrs Cranston-Gray said she has lived in a camping-ground caravan when in Masterton and studying for the week at the Wairarapa UCOL campus and believes the sacrifices she has made have all been worth making.
"I could have gone to Palmerston North to study but the course here looked, and has been, fabulous. And all of us passing shows just how good a decision I made."
Mrs Cranston-Gray and five of her fellow students each gained not only their Diploma in Beautician and Electrology, but also passed the international Diploma in Beauty Specialist and the Diploma in Electrology, with the International Therapy Examinations Council.
It is the first time Wairarapa UCOL students have sat the international exams and Mrs Cranston-Gray passed with credit, Hair and Beauty School programme co-ordinator Angela Ashby said.
A seventh student chose to sit only the Electrology exam, Ms Ashby said, which she passed.
The students' success in the international exams is confirmation that the 18-month diploma programme is providing students with the right skills and knowledge, she said.
"We're excited about their success and about their chances for a bright future in the industry, both in New Zealand or overseas. The skills we teach are transferable and recognised internationally. This is a great advantage for our students if they decide to travel and work overseas."
The seven students complete their study for the diploma next week, she said, and most are likely to find positions quickly.
"It's a growth industry and for employers, these students have the added value of success in external examinations. It will certainly boost their chances."
Ms Ashby, who has worked in the beauty industry for more than 15 years in Masterton, said she sat the same international exam at Wellington Polytechnic in 1986 and the delivery of the programme in Wairarapa is a boon for those in the region wanting to enter the industry on a strong footing.
The Diploma in Beautician and Electrology prepares students for work in beauty clinics, hairdressing salons, day spas, cruise ships, self-employment and pharmacies.
During their UCOL training, salon protocols are observed: Students wear uniforms with name badges, acceptable footwear, minimum make-up and jewellery and must keep their nails short and well manicured. They get first-hand experience of their future trade on regular "client days".