Information about the Specsavers Apprenticeship Scheme

Login

Register

Login

Home / Features

Richard Hodgson

At Specsavers we are passionate about helping people to learn and grow, and our diverse range of apprenticeships offers a stepping stone into our business and a great way to upskill on the job. Of the 500-600 apprentices we take on annually, around 90 percent stay on in permanent positions within the business.

By bringing new talent into Specsavers and providing them with tailored training, we are building a pipeline of clinicians and managers who are equipped to deliver a quality service to our customers, while investing in our employees’ long-term careers.

Richard’s story

Richard Hodgson, our first-ever Apprentice Domiciliary Optical Assistant, says, “When I first joined Specsavers, I initially landed a job as an administrator, and although I was happy, I craved the hands-on role of visiting patients at home.”

He explains, “My director flagged the Domiciliary Optical Assistant apprenticeship opportunity to me. But while I was keen to upskill, I had reservations – at 45, was it too late for me to be an apprentice?”

However, Richard took the plunge and hasn’t looked back. “The apprenticeship gave me a unique learning experience with hands-on involvement and the opportunity to shadow experienced members within my team.” He explains, “I recently completed the scheme and achieved a distinction. It’s fantastic to have a recognized qualification that allows me to support local communities and continue doing what I love. Our customers are all different – they could be suffering from mental health issues or have physical disabilities that prevent them from coming to the store. I feel fulfilled knowing I can provide people with care when they wouldn’t normally be able to access it.”

He adds, “I’m living proof that these things have no age limit – you just have to keep going, keep learning, keep building your confidence, and you will land on your feet.”

About the apprenticeship scheme

Vacancies available: 62
Roles on offer: The scheme is open to anyone above the age of 16, including those who have just finished their GCSEs or A-Levels, or anyone who is looking for a new challenge. Key in-store roles include optical assistants and lab technicians; there are also a range of apprenticeships available for different departments in our support offices.
Length of study: It varies depending on the level of the apprenticeship, but our Level 3 Apprenticeship, which is the most popular in store, lasts from 15 to 18 months.
Qualifications requirements: It depends on the level of apprenticeship – for Level 3 store apprenticeships, applicants will need a GCSE Maths Grade 4/C or above or an equivalent level qualification.

If you’re interested in learning more about the opportunities available at Specsavers, visit join.specsavers.com/uk/