More than 80,000 pupils were encouraged to start a career in optometry or audiology at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham, which took place this month (March 14-17).
A Specsavers team of 40 people ran a number of interactive workshops designed to inspire students studying the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering or mathematics – to choose a career in certain fields of health.
Judy Lea, optometrist director at Specsavers in Longton, said: ‘I met so many students at the Big Bang Fair who have a real interest in STEM subjects but who just hadn’t considered optometry as a career choice before talking to us.’
Students witnessed demonstrations of ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes as well as using the latest technology, supplied by Birmingham Optical Group, to view their friends’ eyes.
They were also able, through an app developed by City University, to view the world through the eyes of someone suffering from glaucoma.
Lucy Knock, early careers manager at Specsavers, pictured, said: ‘We know that optometry and audiology are some of the best kept secrets in healthcare careers and this needs to change if we are to have a sustainable profession.
‘We are committed to building relationships with the next generation of optometrists and audiologists at major events such as the Big Bang Fair as well as at local careers fairs and in local schools.’