Kevin is the President of ABDO. He has a 40-year career in dispensing optics, and has been a tutor since 1992. He’s worked in practice, teaching, sales, manufacturing and as a UK distributor for an Italian company. Now he’s taking on the role of coach for apprentices studying to become...

Studying at ABDO College is a unique and rewarding experience, combining academic learning with hands-on practice and in-person residential blocks. But managing these different elements can be challenging. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to improve your routine, here are some...

This week see’s the fifth World WellBeing Week. Being a student and working leads to a busy life and it is important to look after your wellbeing. How do you relax and focus on yourself? We have found some resources that may be helpful for you to help your wellbeing: The NHS have...

Today is World Refill Day. Did you know that half of the plastic we create (about 400million tonnes a year!) goes into packaging that’s single-use. Less than 10% of the plastic we use is known to be recycled. That’s why we need to transition to a reusable future. ABDO College can help...

ABDO College offers great courses to help you develop your skills.  Read on to find out about what’s available: Optical assistant courses If you have just started working in optics or have been in practice for some time and want to formalise what you have learnt, the optical assistant...

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) celebrated the graduation of dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians at Canterbury Cathedral on Tuesday 20 May. The annual ceremony is a time-honoured tradition where graduands approach the dais one by one to be congratulated by the...

About the role We are looking for full-time and part-time lecturers (minimum 2 days per week) to join our amazing teaching team. We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. These roles would suit those with a strong sector knowledge (ophthalmic dispensing and/or contact lens...

If you missed one of our 'Introduction to apprenticeships' webinars, don't worry ABDO College will be running apprenticeship talks at 100% Optical (1–3 March). These talks will guide and inform prospective students and employers interested in this new and exciting pathway to become a...

  FULLY BOOKED To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, ABDO College will be running a number of “Introduction to apprenticeships” sessions online to help guide and inform prospective students and employers interested in this new and exciting pathway to become dispensing...

The Spectacle Makers’ Charity has opened applications for student bursaries for the 2024-25 academic year. Since launch, the bursary scheme has helped more than 120 students enrolled on degree and diploma courses in dispensing, orthoptics, optometry, ophthalmic imaging and allied subjects...

About us ABDO College (Association of British Dispensing Opticians), established in 2001, is a sector leader in delivering blended learning education. Our mission is to advance the optical profession through the provision of high quality, innovative education and training. Our vision is to...

Education and Professional Development Manager for IOT Eluned (Lil) Creighton Sims FBDO recently gave an engaging talk with audience participation to second year students at ABDO College. The sessions gave an overview of progressive lens design so that students could use critical thinking to...