A new UK optometry apprenticeship pathway, submitted to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) led by the country’s larger optometry employers, is being reconsidered in the face of strong opposition from the UK’s Association of Optometrists (AOP).
As part of its December 2019 consultation response against the proposal, AOP’s case included concerns that the group failed to consult sector bodies, plus member apprehension around student supervision and quality assurance. IFATE had been expected to announce its decision in January 2022.
As part of a 2013 UK government initiative, sector ‘trailblazer’ groups have been encouraged to create a new style of apprenticeship, based on a sector’s needs and employer requirements. The groups must include at least 10 large employers, with professional bodies invited to join. The UK’s optometry trailblazer group includes key corporates such as Specsavers, Vision Express and Boots Opticians, several universities and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.
“We’ve been calling on the trailblazer group to acknowledge the serious concerns that need to be addressed and welcome their decision to pause the current proposals in order to properly assess the evidence and listen to feedback from the profession,” said AOP chief executive Adam Sampson.
“We fully expect the trailblazer group to take this opportunity to explain how they will mitigate these challenges. If they don’t, we’ll be ready to expose the risks we see in its implementation to the profession, and represent our members on this issue.”
