Luxottica launches apprenticeship scheme

Global eyewear manufacturer Luxottica has launched an apprenticeship scheme in five of its David Clulow practices across London.

The company joins more than 130,000 businesses across the UK which offer young people apprenticeships in order to develop a “skilled, motivated and qualified workforce,” while providing formal training and qualifications.

The 12–18-month Optical Apprenticeship offered by Luxottica will follow a work-based programme which will lead to a Level 2 Diploma in Optical Retail from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Markers.

Luxottica enrolled its first cohort of five students last month, who will be based in a number of the company’s selected London flagship and department store based practices. The business has already stated its desire to extend the scheme, expanding on the number of students it enrolls next year.

While the apprenticeship role will be similar to that of an optical assistant position, apprentices will be shadowed by a specially established apprenticeship project team, as well as an operations team, which will support them throughout the training programme.

The programme will be assessed through a combination of skills and knowledge based assessments which will be supported by Oaklands College in Hertfordshire.

Commenting on the establishment of the scheme, which the company has been exploring since April last year, a spokesperson for Luxottica said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the company and engage with young people starting on their career ladder. As we grow as a business we want to develop a skilled, motivated and qualified workforce, providing formal training and nationally recognised qualifications, and this is an ideal opportunity to do that.”