CAREERS advisers from Ealing Connexions invited local business professionals from the Borough of Ealing to meet with Year 9 and 12 pupils at the Ellen Wilkinson High School for Girls in Acton.
Students aged 13 and 14, plus Lower Sixth formers had the opportunity to talk to local professionals, education and training providers about different careers, including higher education and apprenticeships.
Specsavers Ealing Broadway audiology director Setor Acolatse was delighted once again to have the opportunity to return to her old school to support their Careers Fair organised by the Careers Advisers from Ealing Connexions, who are based at schools across the borough.
Ms Acolatse commented: ‘I loved my school days and I feel very grateful for the support I received from my peers and teachers, who inspired me to always do my best in whatever gives me purpose.
‘Today has been a wonderful opportunity to interact with the students, answering questions about audiology and spreading awareness about Specsavers Audiology.’
During the morning, Ms Acolatse met with pupils who learned about the ear and hearing aids, plus gained insight into the importance of hearing tests in identifying potential hearing conditions. They were given leaflets on hearing and how to protect them, so they could pass their newfound knowledge on to friends and family.
The eager students took on board the ‘take home’ message – ‘wax is your friend’ as it is the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism.
Accompanying Ms Acolatse was Specsavers Chiswick’s optician director, Simka Varma, who fielded questions from the students relating to the eyes. Ms Varma said: ‘Today’s event is a great opportunity for the students to find out more about eye and ear health, and understand the training required to qualify. The students posed some very interesting questions, so it was great to explain the various career choices available to them, including training with Specsavers.’
With the vast choice of work and study options available to students these days, inviting local businesses, employers and education providers into the school to pose questions seems a great way for the students to find out more first-hand from local professionals and higher education providers.
Commenting about her career at Specsavers, Setor Acolatse said: ‘I’m thrilled to have been able to become a store director and to be involved in managing the business, while mentoring and encouraging my team to fulfil their potential and realise their dreams and aspirations too.
‘I find audiology to be a very rewarding profession, so it was great to convey this to the students, plus explain why helping people across my local community to improve their daily lives is very important to me.’
This Careers Fair has formed part of a 2024 programme of careers events organised by Ealing Connexions for schools across Ealing. Connexions’ Careers Guidance Adviser, Clare Rodway explains: ‘These events are invaluable in helping students make informed decisions about post-16 learning pathways. Having the opportunity to meet local employers, discuss first-hand any queries and ask questions helps them build up their own knowledge, and form goals and aspirations as they go forward into the world of work.
‘I’m really pleased that Setor and Simka were able to support today’s Career Fair. The students enjoyed finding out more about the science of hearing and eyesight from the Specsavers team. These school careers events are often a catalyst to a profession that might not have been considered before.’
As an organisation, Specsavers encourages their staff to further their qualifications and progress their careers within the group. The Specsavers Career Pathway offers staff the opportunity to study for industry recognised qualifications which encompass a wide variety of roles, including customer services, optician, dispensing optician, optical assistant, and audiology assistant.
For anyone who wants to check out if their eyesight or hearing is in tip top condition, you can contact either Specsavers Ealing Broadway on 020 8840 2977 or you can also book online: www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/ealingbroadway Alternatively, you can contact Specsavers Chiswick on 020 8747 5940 or you can book online: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/chiswick
