Following deregulation of the optical industry in the late 1980s, all workers, not just opticians, were permitted to dispense glasses. As a result, quality control became difficult to manage.
Dolland & Aitchison is the UK’s oldest high street optician chain, with a strong heritage of employee training. They have committed to the new Train to Gain Skills Pledge.
Dolland & Aitchison created a tailored, in-house training programme to ensure all its optical advisers had the skills and confidence to provide the best customer service.
In 2005, it became the first company of its kind to deliver a Level 2 NVQ qualification in optical retailing through its in-house training.
Following an assessment by the Learning and Skills Council, Dolland & Aitchison also identified literacy and numeracy as key issues affecting the productivity of its staff. |
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Core skills in literacy and numeracy are now assessed as part of the overall NVQ training programme for existing employees, while new staff are assessed at interview stage, so that any training needs can be identified at the outset.
Wendy Albutt, Learning and Development Manager, says, “The business benefits of training are evident. Indeed, we are set to double economic productivity… and our reputation for training has helped make us the optical employer of choice.”
The industry has since adopted a Level 2 NVQ based on Dolland & Aitchison’s programme.
"The business benefits of training are evident. Indeed, we are set to double economic productivity through ‘up-skilling’ our staff and our reputation for training has helped make us the optical employer of choice. By taking the Skills Pledge, we have underlined our ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership in training in our sector.” |
