Jessica Aldred joined Specsavers in 2022 as an optical assistant and is now embarking on a dispensing optician apprenticeship. Maddie Jones followed in 2023 to join the company’s apprenticeship scheme whilst Sally Hughes is currently three months into her Level 3 apprenticeship programme. All are sharing their experience with others as part of National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February).
"Coming from a customer service industry background, I thought I knew what it was going to be like here at Specsavers, but there’s so much more to this apprenticeship than I expected," explains Sally.
"I’m enjoying learning both the practical side and the theory whilst studying and the team both in store and through the apprenticeship have been so supportive. I also really enjoy learning about the different aspects of the role as I feel like it’s fully developing my knowledge and skills and leading onto a career path in optics."
Maddie joined the team after her A-levels looking for a new challenge. She recently completed her Level 3 apprenticeship with distinction and is about to embark on a Level 4 qualification.
"I have enjoyed all aspects of my apprenticeship and the support of my colleagues, directors and coaches have really helped me to develop my knowledge and skills,’ she says. "They’ve also helped with my confidence too, so much so that I am excited to further my learning to become a dispensing optician."
Meanwhile, Jessica, who joined the team in 2022 as an optical assistant, is now furthering her studies via a distance learning dispensing optician apprenticeship at Bradford University College.
"I’m really enjoying my dispensing optician apprenticeship so far, it’s offered me the opportunity to advance my learning whilst maintaining a healthy work/life balance," says Jessica. "The support from my directors, colleagues and my tutors at Bradford College is second to none and I would recommend this pathway for development to anyone with an interest in optics."
Specsavers Retford store director, Janet Archer, adds: "Maddie, Jessica and Sally are integral to the team here and it is so rewarding to watch them grow in confidence as they continue their studies.
"Over the course of her apprenticeship, Maddie has dedicated herself to both her studies and the team, Jessica has whole heartedly applied herself to her distance learning, achieving outstanding results in her first assessments, and Sally has made fantastic progress since she joined us four months ago following her career change from hospitality.
"Apprenticeships are a great way to unlock the potential of young people or those looking for a career change, and provide a way for people to embark on successful and fulfilling careers,’ concludes Janet. ‘The Specsavers scheme offers learners an excellent opportunity to work and study in a structured way, providing them with great training and qualifications."
Anyone interested in applying for an apprenticeship with Specsavers can visit: https://join.specsavers.com/uk/apprenticeships and search for apprenticeships.