Specsavers updates on degree-level dispensing optician apprenticeship

Specsavers’ dispensing optician apprenticeship programme in England is seeing rising enrolment and impressive pass rates – with benefits for participants, patients and community optical practices.

The three-year degree-level apprenticeship is also opening career opportunities for more people to become dispensing opticians (DOs), who might not have taken a more traditional higher education route. Apprentices also don’t have to foot the bill for their studies, as it is funded through government scheme.

Specsavers head of dispensing development Kirsteen Newman, who oversees the programme, says: ‘Last year we took 70 DO students on and the first-year pass rate was fantastic. They achieved a pass rate of in excess of 95%.

‘We have 210 DO students for the next intake this September and we are looking forward to supporting them in their studies.’

Key to the success of the programme, she says, has been Specsavers practices supporting apprentices with not only with training time required by the programme but also day-to-day development.

‘It’s really working because it gives them a day, a week where they’re just concentrating on their studies.

‘It’s always a big deal for practices to support students because their day-to-day job becomes a learning environment. It does require the practice director to wrap their arms around them and take care of them for that time.’

The programme is mainly a progression route for existing colleagues in practices such as optical assistants, adds Ms Newman, because it’s a degree level apprenticeship.

‘Being able to access apprenticeships, makes it more accessible for people that perhaps haven’t come into us with prior qualifications, and allows them to open up a really exciting career path without any financial outlay.’

For patients and optical practices, Ms Newman says that there are multiple benefits from participants graduating from the programme.

‘Dispensing opticians provide additional clinical support as part of a multi-disciplinary team. They have a key role in helping ensure patients receive tailored advice and support, leading to more informed choices and improved care.

‘They can also lower the number of spectacle remakes using their expertise, which is good news for patients and practices. And of course, dispensing opticians are central to supporting younger patients who are benefiting myopia management.’