Over 1,000 non-professional staff at Boots Opticians will take an apprenticeship for optical retailing over the next two years.
Boots, which was instrumental in setting up the scheme, was the first optical business to join when it was launched earlier this month by the awarding organisation EDI. The apprenticeship in optical retailing is available industry-wide and offers a nationally recognised qualification.
The scheme offers a career path to non-professional staff working in optics. The Optical Sector Steering Group was also involved in setting up the scheme, which is designed for employees from any size of company.
The standard apprenticeship leads to a diploma in Optical Retail Skills Level 2, equivalent to five GCSEs. An advanced apprenticeship provides a Level 3 diploma, equivalent to an A-level, which can be used in entry to a trainee dispensing optician programme.
In the first year, 400 staff from Boots are expected to take part in the scheme, with 650 taking part in 2012/13.
Richard Edwards, Boots Opticians head of learning and development, said Boots wanted to offer rigorous, relevant and regulated qualifications that would develop its staff and benefit the industry as a whole.
'We believe it is fundamentally important to provide our colleagues with access to qualifications that can provide them with a career pathway. Not only is this good for them, but ultimately our customers will benefit from being looked after by an even more skilled and motivated team,' said Edwards.
Several other optical retailers are understood to be interested in the apprenticeship scheme.
Gareth Phillips, director of sales and business strategy at EDI, said he was delighted to be working with Boots Opticians on the scheme.
'Apprenticeships are the preferred work-based learning route for many employers seeking to up-skill their workforce,' said Phillips.
Boots Opticians managing director Andy Ferguson said he thought Boots Optician's record on training helped it come top in the recent Sunday Times best companies to work for list. He said the apprenticeship would help the industry to progress.
For more information on taking part in an optical retailing apprenticeship call 08707 202909.
