Starting your career through apprenticeships
At Specsavers we are passionate about developing our people so they can be the best they can be. Apprenticeships are a great example of our grow our own philosophy, and our diverse range of apprenticeships even goes up to Master’s degree level. We employ apprentices in our retail stores, in our support offices and in our manufacturing and distribution sites.
So, if you are deciding what to do after school, college or university, or if you are looking for a change in direction into something new, an apprenticeship at Specsavers could be for you. Apprenticeships are one of our key development programmes in our ambition to be famous as a great place to work.
What we expect from our apprentices and what you can expect from us:
Hear what one of our retail managers, Tracy, looks for in apprentices
Hear some advice from an apprentice, Keiran
Hear about the support you’ll receive from apprentice assessor, Kelly
This apprenticeship has changed my life. I wanted to do A-levels before but I was told about the progression path after the apprenticeship programme and I am now enrolled at ABDO college for the dispensing optician programme, which I am so pleased about. The level of confidence, knowledge and skills which I have gained during the apprenticeship has been second to none. My store colleagues and assessor have been so supportive, and I am now looking forward to a rewarding career with Specsavers.
Mustafa al-Kufaishi
Optical assistant apprentice, Stockton
The apprenticeship is an excellent career choice, as it’s not just a short-term job it’s a progression route to a long-term career in Specsavers. Specsavers has really helped me become better at socialising and interacting with lots of different people, with different needs every day. The apprenticeship has helped me to develop my confidence and knowledge, and I can honestly say that I am really enjoying my learning with Specsavers.
Tarran Zima
Optical assistant apprentice, Consett
When I started with Specsavers, I was looking for a way to earn money but also gain a career in the optical sector. Once I finished the Apprenticeship, I moved on to do the Cert 3 programme, then found an interest in the audiology side of Specsavers. I did the HCA course and passed this. Now I’ve started Hearing Aid Dispensing at the University of Cambridge. I’m glad I came to do the Apprenticeship at Specsavers as it has given me a career option that I probably would not have pursued.
Amy Lancaster
Optical assistant apprentice, Stockton
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 apprentice
The Specsavers apprenticeship was ideal for me as I wasn’t sure what kind of career I wanted to pursue and this offered a variety of career pathways. Spending time interacting with customers and colleagues helped me to work as part of a team and increased my confidence both inside and outside of work. It has opened my eyes to various areas of the business, from clinical to management and I have since been awarded Cert 3 and Cert 4 qualifications, having recently graduated in Nottingham.
Ellie Smith
Trainee dispensing optician
90%
of successful apprentices take a role in the store they trained in
92%
of apprentices feel their career prospects have improved
60%
of apprentices who take a role in store progress to clinical qualifications or management
Get paid while you work and study
Do real work that makes a difference to patients and customers, developing your skills and your behaviours as you get more experienced.
Opportunity to progress
You will work towards nationally recognised qualifications and genuinely build a career that will provide you with a range of future opportunities.
From the day you start, your personal development will be just that – personal – enabling you to develop the skills that are best suited to your chosen career path. You could go on to develop your clinical qualifications or progress into management.
See what our former apprentice Chelsie – now a store manager – has to say.
Ofsted stated that our retail apprenticeships are Good Overall as well as in every contributory element too.
The CIPD awarded us Category Winner for Best Apprenticeship Scheme and Overall Winner at the People Management Awards.
The Princess Royal Training Awards recognised the value Specsavers has in apprentices through the support it provides in The Big Apprenticeship Promise.
A retail apprenticeship at Specsavers is a great way to start or enhance your career
All our retail apprentices focus on ‘being there’ for our customers, which literally means helping people improve their quality of life. You’ll be supporting a customer through their entire optical journey passionately delivering excellent customer service while confidently discussing Specsavers’ products and services. Our retail apprenticeships include optical assistants, customer service practitioners and spectacle makers.
After completing your apprenticeship, you could progress to professional development (in optics or audiology) or into management through the team leading apprenticeship.
Hear from one of our former apprentices, Maggie, who is now part of an audiology team.
Hear from one of our Lab Technician apprentices, Anisha, who is studying for her spectacle making advanced apprenticeship.
Hear from former apprentice Karen, who is now a dispensing optician.