Twenty-three year-old Sadie Lilley is now looking for her first full-time job as a hairdresser, after completing her training at the Alan d Hairdressing Academy in Ipswich.

Sadie, from Little Clacton, was one of two winners of a competition for readers of the Ipswich Star and the Est Anglian Daily Times which gave them the chance to make a life-changing move by learning new skills.”

The prizes were a full-time hairdressing or a barbers course at the Tacket Street, Ipswich academy.

Twenty weeks later Sadie is a fully qualified hair stylist.

And she says he has blossomed in self confidence as well as learning the skills for a complete change in her life.

“It has been absolutely brilliant,” she said.

“When I started I couldn’t see myself cutting other people’s hair.

“I have really grown in confidence as I have learned.

“I have always been happy being around people, in my other jobs, and I have really enjoyed it so much.

“Now I need to move on and gain experience. You need a bit of experience and you can make yourself a bit unique.

“Working with all the different teachers has been brilliant too, as you learn different things and ways of doing thtings from them.

“I have got on really well with the customers too.”

She has been delivering her CVs and is now seeking employment in Suffolk or Essex.

“It is a really exciting time,” she said, “though I am going to miss everyone here.”

Alan d education runs hairdressing training education course in Ipswich and London.

www.aland.co.uk