A great way to start your career – apply now for an apprenticeship

Applications are open until 9 August

Dispensing optician (DO) apprenticeships can take your career to new heights. The three-year degree-level course offers opportunities for everyone, even if you didn’t follow a traditional higher education route. You’ll achieve a university-level qualification and have at least three years of career history by the time you qualify.

The benefits

You’ll earn while you learn. Apprentices don’t have to pay for their studies – they are funded through a government scheme.

You’ll be working in a dispensing practice, for at least 30 hours a week, plus you’ll have a day every week to focus on your course. Apprentices are employees with formal training as part of your employment contract. 

You’ll get a salary and holiday pay. If you’re 19 or older and have completed the first year of an apprenticeship, you’re entitled to the national minimum wage or national living wage rate for your age.

How it works

Weekly online learning

Your practical training timetable includes set tasks to be completed at work, supervised by your practice education lead. For at least 20 hours a week you’ll be working under a registered eyecare professional (DO, contact lens optician or optometrist). You’ll have time to complete weekly coursework and block release within paid working hours.

Block release 

Students attend ABDO College for two periods of block release each academic year – face-to-face learning in a classroom setting. Travel and accommodation are paid by your employer.

Once you qualify, you’ll be a health professional, registered with the General Optical Council – and well on the way to a flourishing career.

• Register your interest here

Orthoptics 

Orthoptics is another eyecare career offering degree-level apprenticeships. The course takes three years.

Orthoptists are specialists in the diagnosis and management of a range of visual conditions, such as strabismus (eye misalignment) and ablyopia (a disorder where the brain favours one eye and begins to ignore the input from the other, weaker eye, leading to decreased vision).  

Patients range from babies and children to adults, including people with learning disabilities and older people with cataracts before they have surgery. 

These apprenticeships combine online live teaching, work-based learning and clinical placements. You’ll spend  60% of your time putting your learning into practice on the job.

Your employer can submit an expression of interest to the University of Sheffield, the only provider of the course.