Leading industry bodies have spoken out over controversial plans to begin optometry and DO apprenticeships through large employers in the UK, with Kiwis concerned the plans may land here.
The UK Association of Optometrists issued a strong statement, “The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is calling for a halt to the current proposal for optometry degree apprenticeships until the profession’s serious concerns are addressed.”
The AOP, which represents over 15,000 UK optometrists, was the first major optical body to oppose the degree apprenticeship – drawing on member feedback to build a case against the proposal as part of its consultation response in December 2019. Since then, the AOP said it has been working with other stakeholders, including current education providers, to explore the key issues around student supervision and quality assurance. It said, “It is clear that these are already challenges under the current education system, and that the difficulties would be amplified if a degree apprenticeship was introduced.”
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), however, is less concerned about the move by the UK’s larger optometry employers, with ABDO president Clive Marchant saying, “It’s important to understand what or who is driving the desire for apprenticeships for optometrists and dispensing opticians. All large employers in the UK must contribute to the government apprenticeship scheme. Hence, they have a desire to get their money back in the way of apprenticeship training.”
Marchant explained, “Lower level qualifications have very low funding hence they are impractical for many via the scheme. On the other hand, there is substantial funding for degree level qualifications. Hence the trailblazer groups have been formed to explore training for optometrists and DOs.”
