Can you succeed at work if you face extra challenges? James, 24, works at Specsavers in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and has an anxiety disorder. He takes us through a typical day. What do you do every day? My main tasks include performing pre-screening tests for customers before their eye test, helping them choose and purchase frames and lenses for their glasses, and fitting their glasses when they come to pick them up. I also have mandatory learning time, training on the…
There’s a great future waiting for you in eyecare, with lots of choice whatever your interests and skills. Whether you are planning to go into employment straight from school, head to university, or you are already working and looking for a new career, there are plenty of reasons to go into this field. Enjoy flexible training and careers Whether you want to train or work full or part-time, weekends or weekdays, there’s a job for you. More and more high…
Specsavers, the high street eye and hearing care firm, has 62 places on their apprenticeship scheme across the country. Head of apprenticeships Dena Watt says: “At Specsavers we are passionate about helping people learn and grow and our diverse range of apprenticeships offer a great stepping stone into our business and a way to upskill on the job. “Around 90% of apprentices stay on in permanent positions after qualifying and most go on to gain further qualifications. So, if you…
Richard Hodgson visits people in their own homes to provide optical care. He shows apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers. Richard is the first domiciliary (home visits) optical assistant to complete his apprenticeship with Specsavers – with distinction, too. He tells us why he had his sights set on the home-visits team and how his qualification has helped him achieve the role he really wanted. Life before my apprenticeship I was working in a different world of glass – double-glazing,…
Emily Steele works for Edmonds & Slatter Opticians in Leicestershire and has just completed the optical assistant course with ABDO College Why did you choose an optical career? I’d started to need glasses a few years before and realised my idea of how glasses were supposed to look was totally out of date. I noticed how much of a fashion statement they are now. I’d previously worked in a pharmacy. I wanted to stay in healthcare but have something more…
Leanne Glanville is a dispensing optician (DO) who volunteers for charity Vision Care for Homeless People Q. What's your role? A. I’ve been a qualified dispensing optician (DO) since 2016. I currently work as a locum once a week and volunteer with Vision Care for Homeless People (VHCP) once a month. Locums are temporary workers, rather than permanent, often self-employed. During my 17 years in optics I have worked in most departments in high street practice. I started wearing glasses when…
Your exam results can be key to your next steps at sixth form or college – or your chances of getting a job. But if you don’t get the grades you wanted, there are alternatives for you to consider. Just missed your grades? If you are not far off what was needed for your chosen subject you may be able to study it if your college has some flexibility. Go in on enrolment day and talk to them, with someone…
Today's one of the most stressful dates for many students. It may feel like disaster if you don’t get the grades for your chosen course, but there are options. Universities still want you – more than 50,000 students find their places through Clearing every year. Many more choose apprenticeships, internships, gap years, or go straight into work. How Clearing works Universities fill spaces that are still available after results day via Clearing, matching students with places. This year the system…
Isabel Nibbs is a clinical technician at Specsavers in Crowborough, East Sussex Why did you choose an optical career? After finishing my A-Levels I was inspired by friends and family working in the eyecare sector. As a long-term customer of Specsavers, I thought it would be a great place to work. Being part of a team launching a new store – we opened in November 2022 – has empowered me to become more confident in how I am with our…
A scheme for optical assistants to gain extra skills to support optometrists is celebrating its 500th graduate. Isabel Nibbs is now a Specsavers clinical technician after a 16-week training programme. The scheme gives people the skills to carry out pre-assessment procedures and collect diagnostic information, working under the supervision of an optometrist. The technicians support optometrists to provide better care. “The clinician technician training has enabled me to become more confident with patients and have a deeper understanding of how…