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Healthcare

Apprentice Optical Assistant

VISION EXPRESS LIMITED · TRAINING 2000 LIMITED
Location
Widnes
Postcode
WA8 6UD
Salary
£17,228 a year
Duration
1 Year 6 Months
Hours per week
38.75h
Positions available
1
Level
Level 3 – Advanced
Qualification
Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)
Start date
9 November 2026
Application deadline
30 October 2026
Posted
24 September 2026
Vacancy reference
2000055307

Apprenticeships are open from age 16, once you have finished Year 11 (S4 in Scotland).

About the role

This isn't your typical retail apprenticeship. As part of our team, you'll have more responsibility and involvement, playing a vital role in ensuring our customers feel special. With guidance from your store manager and our apprenticeship team, you'll learn the ins and outs of bringing our brand to life, selecting the right products, and delivering personalized experiences.

Working week

Learners will work 9:30am -5pm 5 out of 7 days- this will be discussed and agreed between candidate and store manager upon interview. They will be required to carry out a weekend shift.

Skills

Communication skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsCustomer care skillsAdministrative skillsTeam workingInitiative

Required qualifications

Essential
GCSE · English · Grade Grade 4/C or above
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade Grade 4/C or above

Training & development

Future prospects

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a Level 3 qualification in optical and gain experience in a busy optical practice.

Upon completion of the Level 3 qualification, you will be an experienced and qualified optical assistant, and as such, you can continue building up skills that will always be in demand. Career breaks and part time working are often possible.

You could go on to acquire higher level optical qualifications such as:

  • Ophthalmic Dispensing- Become a qualified Dispensing Optician
  • Contact lens Optician - fit Contact lenses
  • Low vision specialist - help people where traditional spectacles will not suffice. Supply low vision aids, magnifiers, advice on improving contrast and on other non-Optical aids such as bump-ons
  • Optometry courses - carry out full eye examinations and issue prescriptions
  • Clinical representative- visiting practices introducing new frame ranges and Ophthalmic lenses
  • In-practice trainer - You could use your knowledge to train others

Other non-clinical roles:

  • Practice Management you could complete a management course
  • Practice ownership you could go into business yourself, partnership or franchise

Things to consider

Please do not contact the company directly. Please note - we reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a suitable number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this role.

About VISION EXPRESS LIMITED

We are Vision Express - with over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland, we have something for everyone. Whether you want to work in a busy city centre flagship, a smaller village store or in one of our coastal locations, we're sure we will have the perfect solution for you!

Did you know, we are also part of the EssilorLuxottica family EssilorLuxottica is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of lenses, frames and sunglasses! We are home to the most loved and widely-recognised vision care and eyewear brands in the world. Their priority eyewear brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Vogue Eyewear, Persol and Oliver Peoples, complemented by over 20 prestigious licensed brands.

Website
www.visionexpress.com