Asda Opticians has launched a new apprenticeship program, giving optical assistant colleagues the opportunity to become a Dispensing Optician (DO) – the first time an apprenticeship for this professional role has ever been run in the optical profession.
Launching this month, 13 optical colleagues will start studying towards the FBDO qualification whilst continuing to work with Asda. The apprenticeship provides these colleagues with an accessible route to progress their careers, while also ensuring Asda Opticians continues to grow and develop talent to continue serving its patients and communities.
Upon completion of the course, colleagues will gain the Level 6 FBDO qualification leading to registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a qualified Dispensing Optician. A Dispensing Optician is a skilled optical professional who can fit, supply and offer expert advice on the most appropriate spectacle frames and lenses for patients of all ages, prescriptions and needs.
Asda will be supporting each colleague through their apprenticeship, investing in additional hours so colleagues continue to be paid while studying and ensuring dedicated supervision from a GOC registered optical professional. Students will be able to utilise their knowledge and skills ‘on the job’ as they progress through the course.
Hayley Tatum MBE, Asda’s Chief People, and Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to launch this new apprenticeship scheme and offer our talented optical colleagues the chance to secure a recognised industry qualification whilst gaining practical experience at the same time.”
Ashley Smart, an Asda colleague at the South Woodham Ferrers store who will participate in the apprenticeship, commented: “I am excited to start this apprenticeship and begin my journey towards becoming a Dispensing Optician, which has been a long-term goal of mine! I am grateful to Asda for providing me this opportunity, which allows me to advance my career while continuing to work alongside the fantastic team who have supported and encouraged me from the start of my time at Asda.”
This course will be delivered via Asda’s chosen training provider, ABDO College. The three-year program works toward the professional assessments and examinations set by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and has approval for enrolment from the General Optical Council (GOC).
At Asda Opticians all Optical Managers are qualified Dispensing Opticians, so colleagues with this qualification will have a pathway to developing into these roles.
About Asda
Asda is a diversified retail group serving circa 16m customers each week from over 1,200 UK locations and online. With roots dating back to a Yorkshire family business in the 1920s, the first Asda officially opened on 3rd May 1965. Today, Asda today employs more than 150k colleagues across its stores, depots, home offices in Leeds and Lutterworth, and wholly owned subsidiaries including IPL, Forza, Kober, and Leon.
Asda’s primary operations include the sale of groceries, general merchandise, fuel, as well as clothing and homeware through George at Asda. It also offers a host of other services including Asda Mobile, Asda Money, pharmacy, and optical services.
As well as 610 superstores, supermarkets, and Asda Living Stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Asda has a significant footprint in the fast-growing convenience and food service markets with 479 Express stores and 384 food service restaurants, including 53 Leon sites. The supermarket’s online service also delivers to 99.5% of the UK population.
