SWITCHED-ON students had an eye-opening encounter with the world of optometry when they visited a leading store in Bethnal Green and Whitechapel.
The talented teenagers were doing a week-long placement at their local Specsavers store, where they got an insight into the many career options available in the industry.
The work experience was organised with The Switch, an education charity with a focus on helping young people from Tower Hamlets to fulfil their potential and break free from the deprivation of the area.
Over the last 33 years, the charity has developed a strong network of businesses who are supportive of their aims in offering local students the chance to further their skills and future employability. They provide students with a glimpse into a wide range of different jobs and businesses.
Neeraj Tripathi, retail director of Specsavers Bethnal Green and Whitechapel, comments: ‘My business partner, Mahul, and I are keen on supporting students and offering them the opportunity to find out what it’s like to work in a retail environment and at Specsavers.
‘We both appreciated the support we were given during our training, and therefore we are keen to foster an environment of mentoring and supporting others, including our teams across both stores.
‘Overall, the students got the real-world business experience, which will help them in the future when they start working after completing their studies.’
Since its founding in 1991, The Switch has built up a strong network of employers across London, including several FTSE 100 companies. In addition, they are well networked, partnering with many national and local organisations including schools and school governing bodies.
The local community also holds them in high regard and recognises the team’s dedication into offering local school age pupils the chance to further themselves and fulfil their potential in life by aspiring to life-changing careers.
Aimee Staniford, Work Experience Manager at The Switch, says; ‘The team at The Switch and I would like to extend a massive ‘thank you’. Our Work Experience programme placed over 1,000 students from Tower Hamlets into invaluable work experience placements during this academic year – an achievement made possible because of your support.’
Continuing Aimee comments: ‘We’ve received incredible feedback from the young people we support, and this impact wouldn’t be possible without your time, dedication, and willingness.
‘As a charity dedicated to the social mobility of Tower Hamlets’ young people, we depend on the generosity of people like you to make our work possible. We are grateful for your dedication to supporting our programme this year.’
Mahul Patel, Specsavers Bethnal Green and Whitechapel optician director, says; ‘We jumped at the chance to support the team at The Switch and host local school-age students at Specsavers Bethnal Green and Whitechapel.
‘During the week-long work placement, the students experienced the different stages of the customer journey from pre-testing, to observing a sight test, to glasses fittings and dispensing. They also spent a day in the laboratory to see how the glasses are made and the production process, plus they learned about contact lenses from the in-store team.
‘We will continue to support the charity’s autumn work placement programme.’
Specsavers is one of the largest apprenticeship employer providers to have achieved an outstanding Ofsted grading in England in July 2023. For anyone interested in applying for a Specsavers apprenticeship there are a selection of roles available across the country in optometry, audiology, laboratory technician, customer service practitioners and office support staff.
The majority of Specsavers apprenticeships last between 15-18 months depending on the qualification. Applicants must have a minimum of a grade C or equivalent in Maths to be considered for the level 3 Apprenticeships. To find out more about the apprenticeship scheme, please visit the Specsavers website.
To ensure your eyesight is in tip-top condition, you can call the team at Specsavers Bethnal Green on 020 7324 7520 or Specsavers Whitechapel on 020 7247 6478. You can also book an appointment online at either:
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/bethnalgreen
