In Focus: Enhancing the optical profession’s profile

Developing skills for life was the theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which took place from February 10-16 and celebrated the value, benefit and opportunity apprenticeships can offer.  

Employers and education providers in the optical profession highlighted the work being done to support the next generation of dispensing opticians (DO).  

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) College held introductory webinars during the week to inform prospective students and employers interested in the new pathway to becoming a DO. 

There were 145 apprentices across the institutions offering the new DO apprenticeship, alongside those on the diploma programme, with more set to start in August.