Degree level dispensing optician apprenticeship changing lives

The dispensing optician degree-level apprenticeship is already proving its worth - one year on from being officially launched.

 

The three-year course provides a pathway for individuals to become dispensing opticians (DOs), including those who may not have chosen a traditional higher education route.

The apprenticeship is funded through a government scheme, so apprentices are not required to pay for their studies.

It also provides a pipeline of future clinicians, often drawn from existing colleagues looking to progress their careers.

Seeing the benefits already

‘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%,' she says.

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

She notes that the programme's success is due to Specsavers practices supporting apprentices with both required training time and daily development.

‘It’s always a big deal for practices to support students because their day-to-day job becomes a learning environment.'

Ms Newman adds that having more graduates from the DO programme benefits patients and optical practices. Dispensing opticians add clinical support within a multi-disciplinary team, provide tailored advice for better care, reduce spectacle remakes with their expertise, and play a key role in myopia management for younger patients.