DO apprentices meet skills minister

Visit from minister Jacqui Smith

Education and skills minister Jacqui Smith heard about the opportunities for dispensing optician (DO) apprentices during a visit to Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) last week – as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

The Baroness, who holds several ministerial posts in work and education, met more than 15 apprentices – from Level 2 warehouse operatives, through to Level 6 supply chain management and DOs – to hear about the different routes they had taken and why.

Along with Vision Labs, Lens Online and IGS provide lens surfacing, as well as stocking and distributing lenses and contact lenses, to Specsavers UK optical businesses. In a tour of Lens Online, the minister heard more about an employee-led programme to introduce robots to help automate the process of sending eyewear to Specsavers practices.

She said: “It was wonderful to visit Specsavers during National Apprenticeship Week and meet the incredible apprentices in Kidderminster. From warehouse operatives to those studying for supply chain management degrees, I heard first-hand how apprenticeships are opening doors to fulfilling careers. Their stories show exactly why we’re committed to making apprenticeships more accessible for young people.”

Dan Green, senior dispensing optician and contact lens training manager at Specsavers, said: “I was fortunate enough to discuss our amazing dispensing optician apprenticeship opportunities with Baroness Jacqui Smith. Our apprentices shared their career stories and even grabbed a selfie, as well as tour our fantastic manufacturing sites, supporting their ABDO PQP study.

“The Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship is a game-changing route that gives people the opportunity to become fully qualified DOs through a supported, practical and truly accessible learning journey. It’s been fantastic to watch this pathway open doors for so many aspiring professionals – apprenticeships play a huge role in shaping the future of our workforce,” added Dan, who was recently appointed as an ABDO regional lead in the North of England.

Tegan Fuller, who is doing the newly launched in-practice DO apprenticeship, commented: “I’d done a lab technician apprenticeship first which I really enjoyed, especially the working alongside learning element as it means you can apply the skills you pick up as you go. I have weekly assignments to do and while it’s quite full on, my colleagues are all really supportive and help if I have any questions, along with my tutor too. It was great to be invited along and given the chance to talk about what I’m doing as part of National Apprenticeship Week.”

Pictured with the minister (L-R) are Haitham Al-Omari, Imogen Bennett-Reiley, Tegan Fuller and Dan Green.