GOC approves recruitment for first dispensing optics apprenticeship

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved recruitment for the first dispensing optics apprenticeship, to be delivered by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

ABDO can now begin recruiting students to begin training under the apprenticeship from September 2024.

As an ‘awarding organisation’, ABDO will be responsible for the design and delivery of its Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship through its centres, which includes ABDO College, Bradford College, and City and Islington College.

Once the first cohort of students reaches the final year of study, the GOC will make a final decision whether to approve the apprenticeship qualification based on evidence provided by ABDO that it meets the GOC education and training requirements.

Samara Morgan, GOC Head of Education and CPD Development, says: “I’d like to offer congratulations to ABDO for their work in reaching this point. An apprenticeship scheme will offer another pathway for potential dispensing opticians to earn their qualification, whilst still ensuring they are training through a qualification that has been approved and quality assured by us.

We look forward to continuing to work with ABDO to ensure the apprenticeship meets all of our requirements for full approval.”

ABDO Head of Professional Qualifications and Education Miranda Richardson FBDO says, “It is a great achievement to reach the point of enrolling apprentices on the Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship. Building on the work of the employers’ Trailblazer Group which developed the Apprenticeship Standard, it has been a collective effort to deliver the first qualification for dispensing opticians that will benefit from government funding. ABDO has worked closely with ABDO College, Bradford College, City and Islington College, and the GOC, to ensure the high standards of the profession will be maintained through delivery of this exciting new apprenticeship.”