Rodenstock highlights 'acute skills shortage'

The managing director of Rodenstock UK has highlighted the need for a review of technical training in the profession. Chris Hunt made the call during a visit by key representatives of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers to the company's Northfleet headquarters. Hunt, whose company employs 26 SMC (Tech) qualified technicians, said Rodenstock had always had a reputation for supporting the value of the qualification to its glazers. During the SMC's visit Ð whose representatives included SMC Master Bob Chappell Ð the discussion soon turned to the importance of establishing industry standards for glazers to 'prevent the industry from being starved of skilled technicians'. Hunt commented: 'The nature of technical training needs reviewing. We are concerned about the acute shortage of skills and that the industry is not attracting the right candidates. SMC (Tech) needs upgrading to become a natural extension to DO and optometrist qualifications. It should include computer and IT skills, and a basic grounding in engineering.' Hunt went on to comment that there are currently no facilities for companies like Rodenstock to turn to when recruiting and training large numbers, and no residential college where youngsters could be trained in the fundamentals of optics and basic glazing skills. 'Any other profession making what is classified as a medical device would demand controls of standards and technical competence,' he said, 'and for the sake of our profession's reputation, so should we.' He called the SMC (Tech) 'a great starting ground' as a formal programme to demonstrate that people work to a nationally recognised qualification, 'but unfortunately it is not a compulsory qualification for optical technicians'. The meeting concluded that with substantial grants now available, the industry should work collectively to formalise the qualification standards required prior to allowing an individual to call themselves an optical technician.