
“I’m a Retail Partner and Dispensing Optician Apprentice”
Sign Up For Post Alerts
To be an apprentice you don’t need to be fresh out of education. And for Retail Partner, Jason North, he’s living proof that being a Partner isn’t the ceiling of his career journey. Becoming an Apprentice Dispensing Optician after many years in different roles at Specsavers wasn’t something he ever pictured doing. Read all about his career journey here.
My career journey to date
“My name is Jason North and I’m a Retail Director but also a Dispensing Optician Apprentice by way of upskilling. My career in retail started in 1993 as part time trolley collector for a national supermarket whilst at the local college. I then progressed into various management and support office roles. From 2006 until 2021, I’ve held several support office roles that not only gave me a great insight into the Specsavers passion for customer service and how a Specsavers store operates, but also how the unique JVP (joint-venture partnership) model works. Initially, my roles were supporting our JVP’s across the South. Then I moved into UK/ROI based roles in Business Development and Project Management before transitioning into roles that included supporting our non-UK based markets in Global Brand and store environment design.
Since January 2021 I’ve been a Joint Venture Partner in two stores and an Audiology business - I love a challenge! Being a Retail Partner, I’ve become familiar with the day-to-day operations in store as well as the challenge of running three business with my fellow Joint Venture Partners, especially as we started in the middle of a national lockdown. Whilst I was comfortable with most aspects of the customer journey, I only had a very basic knowledge of dispensing and knew I had a skills gap to fill.
Apprenticeships are for all
In 2024, the opportunity to qualify as a Dispensing Optician via a level 6 apprenticeship became available and I knew it was what I had to do: not just for my benefit, but for my colleagues, too. If I could upskill and learn how to become a qualified and registered Dispensing Optician, I could better not only support my team day to day but also in the longer term it would enable me to supervise other trainees with the various qualifications we offer. I always thought that people might find it strange that I’m a Retail Partner doing an apprenticeship – I feel there is a stigma attached to apprenticeships that they’re only for young people. Apprenticeships are for everyone at any age. So don’t let your age or position be a barrier to learning more.
Learning all over again
What I will say is that going back to structured learning again is a challenge, it’s been over 17 years since I last completed a qualification or classroom learning that takes longer than a few days. My apprenticeship is for three years! But the subject is very interesting, the course is well-structured and the support I get from my learning institution, as well as my fellow partners and colleagues, makes it much easier and manageable.
I love having apprentices in my stores
As a Retail Partner, I have seen the benefits to both individuals and the business from our Optical and Audiology apprenticeship programmes. People learn so much through our apprenticeship programmes, getting great support from our apprenticeship team with the opportunity to gain qualifications up to (and including) level 6. In turn, we get highly skilled people in our stores delivering great service to our customers. It’s a win-win situation”!
Anyone can be an apprentice
Our apprenticeships are open to everyone at any age with no relevant experience. Don't let your age be a barrier to furthering your career. Find out more about our apprenticeships by clicking the button below.
Read More#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/09/2025
Summary
Kristi journey from optics to audiology is a reflection of her determination and passion for helping others. Initially working in the Redditch branch of Specsavers, Kristi was intrigued by a career
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
International CareersContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/08/2025
Summary
A new beginning Chidinma Ulu is an Optometrist who relocated to Bristol from Nigeria back in 2021. She’s excited to share her journey, from her education in Nigeria to becoming a fully qualified Optom

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/03/2025
Summary
Katie Marshall, Supervisor in our Wellington store, started out as an Optical Assistant Apprentice. From going through some particularly tough times due to health challenges to flourishing in her care

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/21/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Deveny, and I'm currently working as a Hearing Aid Dispenser and Clinical Lead at Specsavers Bishopsgate in London. Before moving to the UK, I worked in South Africa across three different lo
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Petru's Pavalasc adventure with Specsavers started in February 2014. He'd just moved from London to Bradford with his wife and their six-month-old baby, looking for more than just a job to pay the bil

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/17/2025
Summary
After 10 years of being an audiologist in a high-street store, Hasan knew he was ready for a change. With a shift in the demographic of people coming into stores and an increase in requests for home
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/17/2025
Summary
From Zoology to Optometry - a journey of discovery James Roberts recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career journey by achieving a distinction in his Lab Technician Apprenticeship. Addi

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/11/2025
Summary
Mark Devlin may have started his career working in store at Specsavers as “a stepping stone” but 10 years later he’s Audiology Home Visits Director and Partner. He tells us why he’s got the best work
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/11/2025
Summary
Lynne has been with Specsavers for over 20 years – starting out as an Optical Assistant and growing her career to become one of the first to become an Audiology Director, for Specsavers Edinburgh Hom
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
International CareersContent Type
BlogPublish date
03/11/2025
Summary
Get to know me My name is Kelly, I’m originally from South Africa and I'm currently working at Specsavers Woking as an Audiologist and Clinical Lead. I’d always wanted to work in some kind of clinic
by
Mike Davidson
Selected jobs for you
Salary
£8.20 per hour
Location
Portsmouth, South, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Portsmouth
Description
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You’ve come to the right place. As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it’s important tha
Reference
sf-81468-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Hannah Soutar
Author
Hannah SoutarSalary
£8.20 per hour
Location
Waterlooville, South, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Waterlooville
Description
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You’ve come to the right place. As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it’s important tha
Reference
sf-81467-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Hannah Soutar
Author
Hannah SoutarSalary
£8.20 per hour
Location
Havant, South, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Havant
Description
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You’ve come to the right place. As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it’s important tha
Reference
sf-81466-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Hannah Soutar
Author
Hannah Soutar