New career guides available on Careers in Eyecare

Rebecca is a vision rehabilitation assistant Have you browsed through the career guides available on this site? Whether you are looking for an entry level role or aiming for a degree, there are lots of careers in eyecare that might appeal to you. New roles added recently With help from eyecare charity SeeAbility, we have recently added two new careers where you can help people with visual impairments make the most of their sight and be as independent as possible.…

Join the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) sounds ancient but has a modern purpose. Its mission is to support better vision for all, and it has a membership scheme that welcomes young people working in eyecare as well as those committed to improving vision. The Company was founded in 1629 and is living proof that eye health is so much more than a presence on the High Street. The name could be misleading as WCSM members don’t all make spectacles. When…

What eyecare jobs are there for school leavers?

If you are leaving school this summer, it is a great time to think about your options. You may want to go on to further education or higher education, but you might want to get a job. There are a number of roles for young people working in eyecare. Becoming an optical assistant is a great place to start. This is a good role for you if you like working with people. You could also be interested in fashion, technology,…

Careers in Eyecare – working in management

If you are early in your career, have you thought about management as an option for you? Whilst many people will tell you that experience is key, and it certainly is important, there are ways that you can train towards a management role. The first thing to consider is what type of management role you may want and be well suited to. There are opportunities at different levels. Think about which areas you would like to learn more about and…

Day in the life … DO and business owner Jim

What do you start with every day? I start with a healthy breakfast and see my family off to school or work. I then jump in the car and start my commute to work. During my drive to work, I will often have a call with Dan Pederson, my business partner to discuss the previous day’s activity across our group of practices and discuss any pressing matters ahead. When I get to the practice, we start the day by having…

Is a traineeship for you?

Would you like to do an apprenticeship or get a job, but need more skills and experience? A traineeship could be just what you need. In this article from Careers in Eyecare, you can find out more about traineeships, if one is right for you and how to get started. A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work placement. It can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year (although most will last for less than 6…

Day in the life … Eye Care Champion Lance

Lance works for a charity called SeeAbility as an Eye Care Champion in London. Read on to find out about what the role is all about. I work with my Champion co-workers to promote eye care for people with learning disabilities and autism. People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have a serious sight problem than other people. Despite this, many people with learning disabilities are still not receiving the eye care they need.   What do you…

Choose a career with a pathway

There are lots of careers and it can be hard to know where to start when making choices. One thing to look out for is a career with a pathway that will allow you to start work, gain experience and take qualifications so you can progress. Working in eyecare, there are a range of entry level jobs that allow you to earn and learn at the same time. You could start as an optical assistant or lab technician. There are…