Spectacle technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship trains spectacle technicians to work in optical practices, glazing prescription lenses into frames and carrying out repairs, adjustments, and quality checks on spectacles. Apprentices develop technical skills in lens edging, frame fitting, and optical measurements. It can lead to roles as a Senior Optical Technician, Dispensing Optician, or laboratory management positions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Optical principles relevant to prescription lenses and frames
Lens edging, surfacing, and glazing techniques
Frame selection, adjustment, and fitting to the patient
Quality control and checking finished spectacles against prescriptions
Safe use of optical laboratory equipment and tools
Interpupillary distance and optical centration measurements
Customer care and communicating with patients in an optical setting
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Glaze prescription lenses accurately into spectacle frames
Use lens edging equipment to shape lenses to specification
Check finished spectacles against the patient's prescription
Carry out frame adjustments and repairs for customers
Take facial measurements including pupillary distance
Maintain optical laboratory equipment in good working order
Assist customers with frame selection and fitting queries
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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