In focus: New direction of travel for education

There reaches a point where all professions must re-assess how their services match up with emerging technology and market dynamics, and it is no different for optometrists and dispensing opticians.

In the past few years, the College of Optometrists’ Optical Workforce Survey and cross-sector Foresight Report each painted a picture of a future of more clinical services on the high street.

Many independents and even the most commercially-minded of multiples have decided training optometrists to provide more enhanced services, and dispensing opticians to upskill into areas such as low vision, is the only way forward.

The message was also heard loud and clear by the General Optical Council, which has got down to business in preparing universities and CET providers for the future.