Optical Assistant Apprentice Review

Item: Optical Assistant Apprentice at Specsavers
Rating: 3.3
Author: Anonymous

at Specsavers

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Customer Service, Sales

London

Review Submitted: April 2026

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!

3/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

3/5 - 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

I enjoy helping and caring people, and that is why I chose this role.
The only issue is the store being big, loud and busy all the time, which I do not enjoy. Especially when customers become impatient, loud and rude and when there is lots to do all the time.
I would prefer it if the store was quieter and smaller and less busy, and if customers were more patient with being served at busier times.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

3/5

I enjoy the job I do, such as helping people choose frames they like and getting the lenses they need. But I do not enjoy when customers are being rude or raising voices when we are trying to help them.
I just do not enjoy loud or busy places and prefer calmer environments.
I would give the programme and store a 4/5 or 5/5 if the store was quieter and customers were more patient, as I think that would help with schedules running more smoothly.
I like calm environments.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

I find optics very interesting as it is not something you do in your everyday life, unless you work in optics. I like learning about how our eyes work, and find it interesting how some of the treatments work such as reactions so you do not need to change glasses or the time. It is very interesting how people can have varifocals and wear 3 prescriptions in one.
I enjoy helping people.
I have learnt how fields tests work, but not yet pre-screening or contact lenses.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

I feel I get support from my coaches and colleagues in store when needed and get training when I ask for it.
But I am not sure what you mean by structure and what it is referring to.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

By employer does this mean managers?
The managers are very helpful with advising me with what to do if I do something wrong or need extra help with something. They do not leave me not knowing what to do and make sure I am comfortable with what I am doing before moving on to something new.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

I do not know who the training providers are and what you mean by qualifications.
I am unsure if this is the apprenticeship qualifications.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

2/5

Not sure what you mean by this as I do not understand the question.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

1/5

No I have not heard about this.
But I would love to do extra-curricular activities inside and outside of work, I just need to find some and join with regards to my schedule.
I would love if Specsavers offered clubs and extra-curricular activities before and after work, it would keep me busy and give me something to do, as well as helping me socially.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Specsavers to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I would recommend Specsavers, as it gives you good career opportunities and different jobs to go into. It has helped me learn and work with different people and has helped me interact with strangers and customers more.