SMC helps set up training ladder

SMC Optical Technician Training introduced the 'ladder of training' at a meeting attended by more than 100 people. Industry consultant Gordon Jones outlined the two Modern Apprenticeships and two levels of National Vocational Qualifications/Scottish Vocational Qualifications for employees of optical practices as well as large manufacturers who produce spectacles or contact lenses, glaze spectacles or make ocular prostheses. The qualifications are 'about occupational competence', designed to 'develop the future of skilled technicians, supervisors and managers' and attract young people (16-25 year-olds) into the industry. The NVQ/SVQ students must demonstrate competency in the seven mandatory and optional units. The four mandatory units, which cover broad requirements, have been developed by the industry. City & Guilds is expected to be approved as the training body shortly and City & Islington College, an approved assessment centre, has developed an online distance-learning version of the NVQ/SVQ. Director of business development Anthony Bravo told optician that there were currently 50 free places available online. He said the college could give nationwide coverage and did not expect many companies to establish themselves as assessors. City & Islington has nine assessors, each of whom can assess 30 NVQ students. Mr Bravo said a full NVQ would cost &\#163;900 and that there were training grants available which were paid to employers by local training organisations. There would be no direct government support for the NVQ/SVQ, but funding of up to &\#163;5,000 would be available from local organisations depending on the area's requirements. Mr Jones said everything was 'pretty much in place' for the necessary official approval and for the programme to begin in September. The closing message to manufactures was: 'We have to make this work. Use it or lose it.'