About Specsavers Apprenticeships and FAQs
For parents, teachers and guardians
About Specsavers apprenticeships
Apprenticeship FAQs: for parents, teachers and guardians
At Specsavers, we’re proud of our apprenticeship programme, kickstarting the careers of talented people across the country, and we welcome apprentices of all ages. They’re a great choice for young people at the start of their career looking to earn and learn in a role that makes a difference, as well as those looking for a career change. If you know someone who’d excel in helping our customers both in store, or in their homes, read on and encourage them to apply.
Specsavers apprenticeships
A Specsavers apprenticeship is an investment in their future. Our apprenticeship offers a flexible yet structured programme of learning, suitable to their individual needs and prior experience, helping them work towards a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen role. Of course, all apprentices earn as they learn — they are a valued member of our teams teams from day 1.
What are the different types of apprenticeships available?
We offer four diverse positions, three of which are delivered by our internal teams and one is delivered by our partnered universities. Click through to each page to read more details about each role.
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Customer Service Apprenticeship
Spectacle Maker Apprenticeship
Hearing Aid Dispenser Apprenticeship
Day in the life of a Specsavers apprentice
An apprentice’s work will differ depending on their role but they will get to learn the unique Specsavers approach. Our busy stores or helping customers in their home, combine exciting and fast-paced retail excellence with a healthcare understanding, and all apprentices will help provide that quality, affordable service. All roles will combine clinical knowledge with an understanding of retail whilst using state-of-the-art technology to make a difference to customers’ life.
Apprenticeships are a valuable opportunity, where they will learn through watching their colleagues, practising their skills with hands-on experience with the technology, and also learn the knowledge through an interactive learning platform that they’ll be given time to do in-store. This will prepare them to gain the skills and knowledge to be brilliant at their job. Apprentices will have an Apprenticeship Coach and buddy throughout the programme who will support them on their journey, and at the end of the programme, there’ll be an End Point Assessment to ensure they’ve met the standards of their nationally-recognised qualification. We will of course fully prepare them for this.
What’s on offer, and what are the career opportunities?
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, each apprentice will have a nationally-recognised qualification (see each apprenticeship opportunity for more details). The completion of this apprenticeship will also show their commitment to their learning and although now qualified in a specific role, it also opens the door to many more opportunities within Specsavers.
The training doesn’t stop there. Developing our people is something that happens ongoing. Check out our routes into audiology and optometry and you’ll see that an apprenticeship could be the first step toward working as a dispensing optician or a hearing aid dispenser. If leadership interests them, there is an opportunity to go down the management and in-store trainer route, or even becoming a partner, where they can share ownership of a local Specsavers business. So whatever the path, they will be supported to get there.
I’ve always been interested in a career in the optical industry. The role has opened many doors for me, and I aspire to become a qualified dispensing optician in a few years’ time.
William Parker
Optical Assistant, Bromsgrove
The application process
Keep an eye out for suitable apprenticeship roles on our job search page.
We’ll appoint apprentices through a CV and interview process. Make sure that your applicant has an up-to-date CV ready to go, and encourage them to drop it in-store. This way, we’ll get to know them sooner, and they’ll be more familiar with their potential workplace.
Do help with their interview prep when the moment comes. It’s all about making the right impression, showing off their communication skills, and demonstrating they can work as part of a busy and caring team.
Learn more about Specsavers apprenticeships
Hear Allissa provide some advice on securing an apprentice role
Dena talks about why an apprenticeship could be right for you
The role of our Apprentices Coach