Member Article

Ainsworth apprentice has her career in focus

An ambitious 19-year-old from Ainsworth, is celebrating this National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March 2017), after securing a coveted place on an in-demand apprenticeship programme with national optician Vision Express.

Chloe O’Connor has taken up a full-time post at the Bury Vision Express store on the 13-month employee-embedded scheme, which has received over 5,500 applicants since it began in February 2014.

Chosen from an average of 46 applicants for each available post, Chloe will be working towards a Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship in Health (Optical Retail), which is equivalent to five GCSEs.

Chloe, who gained her A levels at Bolton Sixth Form College, says she wanted to do an apprenticeship at Vision Express to explore a new sector and really push the limits in her learning. “I’m training to be an optical assistant and potentially would like to become a dispensing optician or progress into a management role.” she explains. “I’m really enjoying the position. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and I’m learning something new each day.

“I would recommend this role to anyone. Day-to-day, I’m involved in eye health screenings, helping with frame selections and I’ve recently started helping with single vision dispensing. It’s all hands on, which I love.”

Wesley Street, store manager at Vision Express Bury, said: “Our apprenticeship programme continues to be extremely popular and is a fantastic way to nurture young, ambitious talent. We are working closely with Chloe to develop her knowledge and skills and hopefully opening up a wealth of career options to enable her to progress further within the company.”

The apprenticeship scheme is just one way Vision Express is helping tackle the issue of youth unemployment in the UK. In 2015 it joined The 5% Club, pledging to have 5% of its UK workforce comprising young people on structured training schemes over the next five years.

Kate Clayton, human resources director, who joined the organisation as an apprentice, said: “It’s great to nurture new talent like Chloe’s. Vision Express is a people company and we continue to see a high demand from ambitious youngsters who are keen to share our journey.”

Vision Express CEO Jonathan Lawson added: “Vision Express is a growing company offering unique and diverse career potential and, an average of 46 applicants per position, proves our apprenticeship programme continues to be very popular.”

Managed and delivered by in-house optical experts, the scheme gives candidates the opportunity to earn while they learn, with assessor support and hands-on experience.

The spring apprenticeship intake starts on 8 March. The June intake will be open for applications from late March. To qualify candidates must be at least 16 years old and not in full or part time education.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .