As you take the first steps to working life, you need to think about what your passion is. What motivates you? Is it caring, or financial rewards? Getting swift results or building long-term relationships? Consider your personality and skills and research which careers fit best. What lifestyle, salary and work/life balance would you like? A mentor – someone who has already established their career – can help you find the answers to those questions and more. Building a relationship With…
Day in the life – optical assistant Emily is on her way to a bright future
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 I’d started to need glasses a few years before and realised my idea of how glasses were supposed to look was totally out of date.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…
Earn while you learn – Level 6 apprenticeships launched
There’s a new way to train as a dispensing optician (DO) and earn while you learn with the launch of Level 6 apprenticeships, equivalent to a degree. DOs advise on, fit and supply the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each person’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs. They can take further training to fit contact lenses. The first intake started in September and the next group of learners will begin their courses a year later. The 2025 starters will…
A Day in the Life – the volunteer dispensing optician
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…
Six great reasons to choose a career in eyecare
There are lots of different ways in You could start working as an optical assistant and can study online to learn more about eyecare and eyewear. Learn through block release or day release as a student or apprentice dispensing optician and you earn while you learn – get a diploma or a degree while being paid. Or head to university for a degree in ophthalmic dispensing or optometry, followed by clinical experience under supervision. Explore your interests Whether you are…
GCSE results day – what’s next?
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…
A day in the life – the clinical technician
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…
Celebrate Youth Employment Week 15–19 July
Businesses can boost their engagement and recruitment strategy and young people discover fresh opportunities during Youth Employment Week from 15–19 July. Young people Find lots of information and advice about your future options at Youth Employment Week Discover carers and pathways to suit your strengths Build your skills and boost your confidence Explore lifelong learning to progress your career Employers Download your toolkit to get free resources Download activities and social media assets from the Youth Employment Week hub Use your social…
A day in the life: working as an eye surgeon
Mr Adonis El Salloukh is an eye surgeon working in Cardiff. A specialist registrar, he chairs the ophthalmologists in training group (OTG) for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists How did you start your career? I’ve been interested in becoming an eye surgeon since I was eight years old – I was fascinated by the complex anatomy of this organ. During my medical school training, at St George’s in London, I travelled to India to help with eye camps where we…
Wanted: employers who offer apprenticeships
ABDO College is seeking employers with experience of offering apprenticeships. The college aims to launch an apprenticeship programme for dispensing opticians in September 2024, subject to General Optical Council (GOC) approval. The Department of Education (DfE) has approved the college as a provider for the Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship Standard. The college plans to launch the programme in September, with a group of employers who already run apprenticeships for other areas of their business. DfE approval is a key…