A BEAUTY apprentice from Rhoose Point has swapped the spa where she works to experience workshops in Spain as part of a European exchange project.

Stephanie Simmonds, from The Vale Spa, Hensol, is currently (April 22-27) in Tarragona, Spain along with three other hair and beauty apprentices from Bridgend, Ammanford and Haverfordwest.

Stephanie, a former pupil at Llantwit Major School, has been chosen to take part in the Health and Beauty Network Europe project, which involves short exchanges of four hair and beauty apprentices and two staff from Bridgend-based ISA Training with colleges in Spain, Poland and Turkey. The project aims to enhance the learning experience of apprentices, increase their confidence and broaden their career horizons.

Stephanie will take part in colour workshops by Schwarzkopf, Hot Stone, 3D Nail sculpture, Airbrushing and Creative Hairstyling workshops in the packed four day itinerary.

The visit has been arranged by ISA Training, the largest independent hair and beauty training provider in Wales, in conjunction with partners in Spain, Turkey and Poland.

Stephanie, who is flying through her 5* Beauty Apprenticeship with ISA Training at the prestigious Vale Resort Spa said: “I am so lucky to have been chosen to go to Tarragona. I can’t wait to learn new techniques to bring back to the spa.”

ISA Training’s managing director Berni Tyler thanked the owners of all the salons in Wales for agreeing to release their apprentices for five days.

“We now live in a global age and we need to provide exciting learning opportunities for our work based learners,” said Mrs Tyler. “We have much to learn from other countries and they can also learn from us.

“We want to enhance the learning experience and inspire our learners to realise that hairdressing and beauty therapy are professions that can grant them a passport to travel the world.”