06 November 2026
Earlier this year Alcon established Propel, an educational programme for early career optometrists and contact lens opticians that aims to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and confidence in day-to-day practice.
The programme, which combined a range of in-person and online interactive sessions, is designed to help early-career practitioners develop their skills, strengthen their confidence and network with peers in order to build lasting professional connections.
Following its launch as a pilot in 2026, Alcon has confirmed that the programme will return in 2027, with applications due to open in December.
Vishal Gohil, professional education and development manager at Alcon, who leads Propel, explained to OT : “For early career practitioners, moving from education into clinical practice can be challenging. While graduates have a strong clinical knowledge foundation, applying it confidently to real-life patient scenarios can take time and experience.”
It was this gap that inspired Alcon to create Propel.
“The vision was really simple,” explained Gohil, sharing: “It was to create a programme for early career practitioners that would help them build confidence, develop their skills and connect them with peers at the same stage of their careers.”
Gohil told OT that the idea of Propel emerged following conversations with early career practitioners at conferences and industry events. These conversations, regardless of event, shared a reoccurring theme: that although newly-qualified practitioners had the theoretical knowledge, many lacked the confidence and experience to apply it in everyday clinical situations.
He explained: “When students graduate from university and finish their pre-registration period, they have the knowledge, but they don’t always have the skills or confidence to apply it in their day-to-day contact lens practice for the benefit of their patients.”
Being in scenarios in practice that involve complex contact lens cases and unexpected patient situations can be particularly daunting for early career practitioners who have limited experience.
Having experienced these challenges himself early in his career, Gohil said that Alcon recognised the importance of providing practical support, while also wanting to embrace the passion to pursue professional development that he has observed in many early career practitioners.
Rather than a one-off event, Propel is designed to combine face-to-face workshops with online interactive sessions in order to provide a broad learning experience.
Alongside formal learning, Gohil highlighted the importance that Propel places on peer support. Through the programme, Alcon wanted to ensure that practitioners from all corners of the UK could have the opportunity to come together share ideas and learn from one another.
“They bonded really well, and to me, it’s been like a big family,” Gohil said.
Having begun the programme with a face-to-face day at Alcon’s UK headquarters in May, earlier this month the inaugural cohort of Propel practitioners completed the programme, which culminated with a visit Alcon’s contact lens manufacturing facility in Germany.
“It gave them a different perspective on contact lens innovation and technology that they may never have seen or even thought about before,” Gohil shared.
They bonded really well, and to me, it’s been like a big family
Looking ahead
A total of 27 practitioners have completed the first Propel programme.
Gohil told OT that as this year was a pilot, Alcon has been actively gathering feedback and identifying opportunities to improve for future cohorts throughout the programme.
Overall feedback, he said, has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with practitioners rating different aspects of the programme highly.
“We listened to them and talked to them throughout the whole journey. From those conversations, we’ve taken insights and learnings that we’ll carry forward as we evolve Propel for 2027,” Gohil confirmed.
Looking to Propel’s future, Gohil hopes that practitioners who are part of the programme will continue to support one another, will apply their learning in practice and will pass their knowledge on to colleagues.
“If they’re all still in touch, still connected and still supporting each other, I’d be very, happy,” he said.
Applications for Propel 2027 are expected to open in December, with announcements planned through LinkedIn, Gohil told OT.
Commenting on why early practitioners should consider applying for Propel next year, Gohil said: “If they want to develop their career and their contact lens practice, and they want to build their confidence and skills, I’d recommend applying for Propel.”
Register your interest for the next Propel programme.
Propelled potential
Early career optometrist at Boots Opticians, Shahana Miah, speaks to OT about her experience on Alcon’s Propel programme
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