The General Optical Council (GOC) has announced that the Knowledge Hub will continue to be operated by the Sector Partnership for Optical Education (SPOKE) until July 2028, to support the implementation of new education and training requirements (ETRs).
SPOKE has operated the hub since August 2021 for qualifications leading to entry to the GOC register in optometry and dispensing optics, and since January 2022 for specialist qualifications in contact lens optics, and independent prescribing/additional supply/supplementary prescribing.
The new three-year extension will merge both elements of the hub together under a single contract.
In March 2025, the GOC council agreed to use £210k of strategic reserves to continue to run the hub once the current contracts expire in July 2025.
The focus of the hub for the next three years will be to provide practical materials and support to enable qualification providers to successfully implement the ETR as the first cohorts of students move towards graduation.
Steve Brooker, GOC director of regulatory strategy, said: “We are delighted that SPOKE will continue to operate the Knowledge Hub for three more years. SPOKE has been pivotal in helping providers transition to the ETR and we know its practical materials are valued and being well used. Good progress has been made in implementing the ETR, but the job isn’t finished. This new contract will support the continued period of transition until the point where most of the first cohorts studying ETR compliant qualifications will have graduated.”
Lizzy Ostler, director of education at the College of Optometrists, said: “I am delighted that the highly valued collaborative work led by the SPOKE Knowledge Hub will continue brining the sector together as the first new registrants qualify via the GOC’s education and training requirements. The projects and resources delivered over the last four years capture the best practice being developed by all stakeholders, overcome challenges of the revised approach, and maximise the positive impacts of change. The SPOKE Steering Group, led by the College of Optometrists, Optometry Schools Council and ABDO representatives, are looking forward to launching the next phase of SPOKE and working with the sector to tackle the issues emerging as courses progress through delivery.”
Miranda Richardson, ABDO director of professional qualifications, told DO Online: ”The continuation of the SPOKE Knowledge Hub is an incredibly positive outcome for the optical sector. As our first cohorts under the new education and training requirements progress toward course completion, we are able to utilise the invaluable project resources developed during the first four years of SPOKE.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing in my role as a member of the SPOKE Steering Group – and supporting further sector collaboration in sharing and developing best practice for ophthalmic dispensing, contact lens, and optometry education delivery,” added Miranda.
Visit the SPOKE website to learn more about the Knowledge Hub.