The feedback from recruiters at Optrafair was that there were plenty of openings at all levels despite the current difficult trading climate, with the optical sector remaining largely unaffected by the recessionary conditions on the high street.
Leading specialist health recruitment agencies with a presence at last month's Birmingham show, were looking to sign up optical staff at all levels. The feedback to Optician during Optrafair was that despite lower visitor numbers it was business as usual for recruiters, with a large number of quality candidates dropping in for informal advice or taking things further by formally registering their interest in making a career change.
Carrying a torch for jobseekers
Independent recruitment consultancy Flame Health which specialises in recruitment within the optometry, dentistry and pharmacy sectors, said that its presence at the show had gave a valuable opportunity to network with candidates, clients and other business contacts. One of the other key aims for the company's presence was to raise awareness of its web-based solutions such the website myflamehealth.com, according to managing director Scott Liversidge.
He told Optician: 'We specialise in providing an online service called myflamehealth.com which is different to a lot of the other recruitment websites in that it provides specialist advice on issues ranging from general recruitment and building a practice to joint venture opportunities.'
However, Liversidge added that visitor figures during Optrafair 2009 in his estimation were down by around a third from the previous show in 2007.
'Based on previous years, visitors are down by about a third. But the show has still been very beneficial for us. We met some of our clients, prospective candidates and other people we work with.'
Recruitment in the optical sector remains 'fairly' recession proof, according to Chip Levy of Healthline Optical Recruitment, whose clients include the major multiple optical chains such as Boots Opticians and supermarket chain Tesco. 'It's a niche market. People always need to have their eyes tested and the sector hasn't been affected adversely. There are companies who scale back, but there are also companies trying to grow at the moment,' he said.
The company registered new candidates looking for both full-time or locum work. The stand was specially designed to enable candidates to drop in for a confidential consultation. As well as looking to fill a broad range of optical roles at all levels the consultancy was looking to place sales representatives with frame companies.
Levy was keen to point out that Healthline adhered to a policy of not forcing candidates to take any action against their choice.
'We don't push candidates to move jobs; we tend to be more of a listening company who will act as a confidential third party. Candidates can come to chat to us without taking any further action.
'This is especially important in the current economic client when candidates can be nervous about talking to their HR department,' he said.
Opportunities down under
Meanwhile, visitors looking for opportunities to start a new life further afield headed to the Open Recruitment Group stand. Nicki Clarke, consultant with the recruiter, told Optician that the consultancy was impressed with the response for positions in New Zealand and Australia, which were primarily for optometrists and dispensing opticians.
'Specsavers is one of our clients and there has definitely been an increase in the number of opticians and dispensing opticians who want to find out more about working abroad. Australia has been particularly popular.
It was a debut presence for Tesco Opticians whose main aim was to raise awareness about career opportunities. Russ Elmore, a regional opticians' manager with the company, told Optician: 'We are here to raise the profile of the company in the optical sector. We doubled the number of stores we had last year to over 100 and there is continuous growth planned for 2009.'
He added: 'Optometrists, dispensing opticians and managers have all expressed an interest in working for the company. We've got some long-term plans ahead of us and we need people to realise those.'
According to Elmore, Tesco as a company had a lot to offer to successful candidates. 'There are other benefits when you work for a household name such as Tesco,' he said.
'With our current expansion plans we will be looking to recruit optical professionals from all parts of the country.' ?