Local Student Snips his Way to Fame on TV's Hair

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And Phil is also encouraging others to find dream careers at Hammersmith college

At 32, Phil Hunt decided to switch careers and enrolled on a hairdressing course at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.

A year later, the course has led to Phil landing a role in the BBC2 TV series Hair, a competition to find Britain's best amateur hair stylist.

Halfway through the episodes, with four contestants already eliminated, he is currently the last man standing alongside five female rivals.

Phil, now 33, had a successful career as a retail brand manager when he decided to leave and follow his dreams by studying at the college's Hammersmith campus in Gliddon Road.

He says: " I hit 32 and realised that I didn’t want to spend my life doing something that didn’t inspire me. I’ve always been passionate about hair design - I see it as an art form, and love the way structure and form can create a unique look that changes a person’s appearance within minutes.

" I was passing the college one day and decided to go in and have a look. I was very conscious of being a mature student, but meeting my lecturer, Pam made me feel at ease about going into something that was outside of my comfort zone. She had over 30 years’ experience and was passionate and inspiring – I signed up straight away."

Phil feels so passionate about his new life that he is now heading the college ’s #makeithappen recruitment campaign, which encourages people across London to be inspired to pursue their dream career, either by aiming for promotion in their current job or completely retraining.

He says: “The advice I would give for anyone frustrated, bored or unfulfilled by their current job, would be to come into the college at Ealing, Hammersmith, Acton or Southall and get a feel for the environment here.

" I gave up a career that was set for me and went back to basics and I’ve not stopped since. Ever since September, I’ve been on a constant high. If you have a passion for something you have to live and breathe it, everything else comes naturally with it."

You can see Phil in action on Hair, broadcast on BBC Two on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 10pm – the first episode saw Phil' s architectural creation praised by judges, for its “great balance,” with judge Denise McAdam saying: " Everything about it, I just loved."

Clare Caccavone, head of student engagement and experience at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, says: " Phil sets a great example to people who are considering changing career or going that step further in their current role. As part of the #makeithappen campaign, our students of all ages are sharing their inspirational story in the hope of inspiring others to tap in to their true ambitions and make them a reality.

“There is a wealth of support available to mature students, ranging from initial careers advice, to government loans available for those aged 24 and above enrolling on a wide range of advanced courses in subjects such as accounting, business, social media, engineering, motor vehicle, hairdressing and many more."

Full course information can be found by visiting the college's website. Enrolment dates are from August 24 till September 5.

 

July 24, 2015