In focus: End of an era

Next year will see the cessation of The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers’ (WCSM) long-standing accredited qualifications for optical technicians and assistants.

Level 4 Diploma courses for optical technicians and optical assistants, leading to the SMC technician and SMC optical assistant awards, will continue to be available from Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) College, but it was expected that ABDO would, in time, take on the role of awarding body for the qualifications.
The London Livery company, founded by Royal Charter in 1629, said its WCSM exams at Level 2 and 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at SCQF Levels 5 and 7 in Scotland will have their last main sittings in June and December 2019.