Last October in an interview with Joe Ayling, I spoke about how new technology and societal demands are changing the way practitioners provide services – and that education needs to keep pace with that change.
Our Education Strategic Review is now in full swing, with a consultation currently open in which we’re asking about the concepts and principles that might underpin a new education system in the future.
I will be very disappointed if we only end up with a small change rather than a radical one. In particular, we want to free universities and colleges up to develop innovative, responsive and agile education programmes that can respond to a dynamic UK optical sector.
We want to see new and different relationships develop between educators, employers and professional bodies.
This would lead to more integration and understanding of theory and practice to ensure future professionals are equipped to practise safely and confidently from day one; students developing the professional skills they will need in modern practice; and greater mutual understanding between employers and educators, recognising most students will work in community practice.
But the way we regulate has to change too, providing less rigidity and a greater focus on outcomes. This sector relies on evolution, so it does not make sense for our regulation to stay fixed and over-prescriptive.
A lot of this reflects comments we have already heard as part of our discussions over the last year or so. But we want to keep hearing from stakeholders as we develop our thinking – we know we are only going to get this right if we keep on listening to the whole of the sector. We are consulting until March 16 so let us know what you think.