Dollond & Aitchison has become the latest high-street retailer to participate in a national project to transform the UK's retail skills.
It has agreed to give access to some of its training services and facilities to the proposed National Skills Academy for Retail (NSA). As well as offering NVQs, D&A has agreed to provide places for at least a dozen NSA trainees at a skills shop in its training facility in Aston, Birmingham.
The company will also provide NSA work experience placements and run a yearly 'taster day' in optical retailing for Birmingham school pupils.
Andy Cole, D&A's head of learning and development, commented: 'The NSA will offer individuals and retailers everywhere training and qualifications to give high-quality, portable retail skills.'