Welcome to ABDO College

Did you know your Internet Explorer is out of date?

To get the best possible experience using our website we recommend that you upgrade to a newer version or other web browser. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.

Just click on the icons to get to the download page

If you understand that your browser is inadequate but you still wish to view the site click here

This site uses cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy. If you agree to our use of cookies, please accept, alternatively, you can change your settings and decline.

Courses
- ABDO College

Time for employers to act – DO apprenticeships deadline

Do you want to develop your talented staff, bringing degree-level skills into your team? To keep your best optical assistants and junior staff, rather than losing them if they want to progress in their career? 

The dispensing optician (DO) apprenticeship could be the answer. But you’ll have to hurry – the deadline to register for the next intake is 9 August.

The Level 6 course is a three year degree-equivalent training standard. ABDO College is an approved provider of the course, leading to full qualification as DO. 

Goverment funding

The government pays 100% of the training costs for apprentices aged 16 to 21. For those 22 and over, small employers – with a wage bill of under £3million – get 95% of apprenticeship training and assessment costs paid. 

Large employers are required to fund the government apprenticeship scheme regardless of how many apprentices you employ, so this is an opportunity to draw back as much of your funding as possible.

How it works

Apprentices must work a minimum of 30 hours per week and employers have to  provide at least one paid day per week (or equivalent hours) for study and training.

You must appoint a supervisor who is registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) – a  DO, contact lens optician, or optometrist qualified for at least two years. That’s a chance to help other members of staff develop their skills in supervision, as well as gaining access to the latest professional and technical thinking.

Apprentices will follow the same programme structure and pace of learning as student DOs on the traditional FBDO diploma route, blending online learning with on the job training and block release. 

The advantage is the access to government funding of up to £23,000 for training and assessment costs. Apprentices will be assessed by ABDO, the qualification provider and professional body for DOs.

The course has three key elements

  • weekly online learning
  • practical training timetable – set tasks to be completed in practice working with the student’s practice education lead (supervisor)
  • block release – two periods of block release each academic year at ABDO College, providing face to face learning in a classroom setting

Find out more here and contact us via Tel. 01227 738829 or email info@abdocollege.org.uk

Back to listings