Optical assistant apprentice Review
at Specsavers
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Merchandising
Milton Keynes
Review Submitted: September 2025
Overall Rating
3.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
My job role involves either dispensing or repairing glasses in the retail side of the store, or carrying out diagnostic checks in the clinic. I have 4-5 hours per week to complete the currently active goals for my coursework.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
The busy work environment and the need to complete certain goals within a timeframe in the course can be a difficult combination. I often find my study time either delayed, carried over to the next day or withheld for multiple days due to the store being too busy to lose members of staff in the store. While I understand such an environment being busy can't be helped, this can be very disruptive to my progression within my apprenticeship learning, and has often caused me to fall behind in some areas, or struggle to keep track of the work that needs to be completed.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt many skills mainly relating to customer service and more optical specific skills. This includes adjusting and repairing glasses, using Socrates 7 to access customer records, and being able to explain biology concerning the eyes aswell as a variety of optical conditions that effect them.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well set out and structured, clearly detailing the current objectives and what is required of me to submit on both a daily and weekly basis. There are regular meetings with both apprenticeship coaches aswell as in-store visits, and this greatly helps in understanding the course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
While management are more aware of what time and resources are required to carry out my apprenticeship coursework, in general there is little to no consideration for it from most members of staff. This is shown when I previously mentioned I often miss my study time due to people needing staff, and in-store work will always take priority over my coursework. I feel this is unfair as for me, completing the coursework is equally, if not more important than the in-store work, as without the chance to gain the knowledge needed for the qualification at the end of the course, applying for the apprenticeship loses its meaning.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The training providers have been incredibly supportive despite the difficulties from an in store perspective. This has included organising extra meetings to catch up on my progress, aswell as a well structured learning plan on what I need to do going forward. This learning plan also takes into consideration any adjustments I feel I need for the course, which greatly helps in tailoring the coursework to your own learning preferences
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think the qualification confirms that I have the necessary knowledge to carry out jobs in an optical setting and this helps in performing daily tasks.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
There are occasional recreational work events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Specsavers to a friend?
No
Why?
As much as my apprenticeship coaches have provided good structure to my course, I feel as a business Specsavers isn't able to facilitate apprentices due to how busy the workplace is and the low level of consideration for my coursework from other members of staff.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Specsavers?
It is probably best to apply to a standard role as opposed to an apprenticeship as you will still gain the same skills, the process for it will just be slightly longer.
