A new qualification from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) aims to help optical and dispensing assistants working in practice to improve their skills.
The WCSM Level 2 Diploma in Optical Retails Skills covers key retails skills needed in today's market and is an option for career development. The WCSM said the diploma used training in the workplace and gave a work-based approach to learning. It can be given by in-house members of staff, by WCSM trainers or through a distance learning programme.
Students can take the diploma as a stand-alone qualification or use it as a pathway to obtaining an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship in Health (Optical Retail), for which government funding is available for some students.
The unit by unit assessment is carried out in practice by WCSM assessors or by a WCSM-approved assessment centre.
Gordon Jones, chairman of the WCSM Awarding Body, said that the diploma fitted very well into the wide selection of career development routes from the WCSM. 'Students who have passed units from our Level 2 Certificates in Optical Customer Service or Optical Practice Support, for example, can put those credits towards this new diploma.'
He added that many people in optics had been asking for more training and assessment in practice. 'Again, it fits very well with our comprehensive range of online, written and practical examinations.'
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