Optical Assistants combine customer service with healthcare by supporting optical practices with the customer journey from identifying customer needs to providing expert advice and after care. An Optical Assistant apprenticeship enables new or existing staff to work in a full-time role with a salary whilst receiving training from industry experts online one day per week.

Training 2000 has been a part of the University of Central Lancashire since 2017, providing a progression pathway from the Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship to optical undergraduate and master's degree courses.

The Hakim Group is the largest family of independent opticians in the UK and Ireland and opted for Training 2000 to deliver Optical Assistant Apprenticeship to their staff. A spokesperson from Hakim Group said: ‘Training 2000 has supported many of the independent Opticians within the Hakim Group since our partnership began. By offering an exciting route into the optical profession with their Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship, we have been able to offer early careers access routes and upskill our existing workforce in the process.’

Scrivens is one of leading UK opticians and eye care specialists with over 170 locations in the UK and also chose Training 2000 to be their chosen training provider for Optical Assistant Apprenticeships.

Vision Express have over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland and are also working with Training 2000 to recruit and train Optical Assistants in 12 locations across the country.

Optical Tutor at Training 2000, Tony Douglass, commented ‘Apprenticeships are evolving into the go-to option for training in optics. Many practices now use our Level 3 Optical Assistant apprenticeship for all of their new starters as a rite of passage into the world of optics. I have received great feedback from employers and learners who have experienced Training 2000’s Level 3 Optical Assistant apprenticeship so far.

This is exciting times for the world of optics, particularly with the Level 6 in Ophthalmic Dispensing (DO course) is being developed as an apprenticeship and we are aiming to offer a unique dual qualification where the students will attain both the BSc Hons in Ophthalmic dispensing and the Level 6 apprenticeship qualifications’.

Head of Business Development at Training 2000, Karen Soames, commented ‘As a leading provider of apprenticeship and commercial training, Training 2000 is committed to fostering the next generation of optical professionals. Our collaboration with esteemed national organisations like the Hakim Group, Scrivens, and Vision Express reflects our dedication to delivering high-quality, industry-specific training both locally and nationally’.

To find all current Optical Assistant Apprenticeship vacancies, please visit Training 2000’s vacancies page.

If you are interested in recruiting or upskilling Optical Assistants or hiring an apprentice in another sector, please contact Training 2000’s Business Development Team to discuss your requirements on:

Telephone: 01254 54659

Email: businessdevelopment@t2000.co.uk

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