“Our personal approach to pre-reg recruitment allows us to ensure a better candidate experience”

While there is a great deal of truth to the saying, it is well-known that in some areas of the country, finding opportunities can pose a challenge. Locations close to optometry schools can be in high demand, while practices further afield struggle to recruit.

The GOC Business Registrant Survey 2024 found that respondents identified “substantial difficulties” in recruiting optical professionals, with the majority disagreeing or strongly disagreeing that they can easily recruit optometrists when needed (63%).

Around a quarter of registered businesses currently have arrangements with universities or the College of Optometrists to offer placements to optical students, the survey found.

The GOC found that the main perceived benefits to offering these placements are forward-looking, with the majority (70%) seeing a major benefit in “supporting the next generation of optical professionals” and providing a “future pipeline of newly-qualified optical professionals” (65%).

Meeting need

For Duncan & Todd, the optical and hearing group in Scotland, a key challenge is engaging student interest in rural locations.

Duncan & Todd has maintained a commitment to support pre-registration optometrists, primarily through partnerships with Scottish universities.

In 2022, Alix Buchanan, lead clinician optometrist, and Janna Swanson, HR adviser, made the decision to expand recruitment efforts.

Swanson explained: “We started visiting these universities to engage directly with students, and during our visit to Ulster University, we received an overwhelmingly positive response from second-year students. Many expressed interest in relocating to Scotland for their pre-registration placements.”

Since that initial visit, the team has made a point of returning to Ulster University each year.

Swanson explained that visiting the students has highlighted that pre-registration placements in Northern Ireland can be quite limited, which often leads students to seek opportunities elsewhere in the UK.

“The Duncan & Todd Group offers a solution by providing students the chance to complete their pre-reg placements under Scottish regulations. Additionally, we guarantee a position with the company for those who successfully complete their pre-registration year with us, offering them a clear and secure path forward in their careers,” she added.

Supporting career transition

The recruitment process begins with university presentations, in which the team speaks to students about the company, its locations, and the pre-reg programme offered.

Buchanan explained: “We encourage students to come and speak with us directly, and this opens up communication, making the application process easier. During our visit we encourage all students interested to apply and explain the process in detail, so students understand what to expect from the process.”

Applications are reviewed by the Duncan & Todd pre-reg programme team, and all students are invited to an initial interview to discuss their experience, skills, and current course.

“After each visit, we continue to stay connected with the successful candidates, helping facilitate their transition to Scotland to ensure they feel fully supported throughout their journey with us,” Swanson said.

Once location availability has been confirmed, the team provides as much detail as possible about the branch and location to the student and offers to facilitate a branch visit “so the student is able to explore the area and feel comfortable in their decision.”

Students are encouraged to complete a summer placement with Duncan & Todd before starting their pre-reg placement. Buchanan explained that this enables the students to “get to know our staff and familiarise themselves with our systems and equipment, making for a smooth transition into their programme.”

Duncan & Todd welcomed two students from Ulster University to its pre-reg programme in 2024.

Feedback from previous and current students has been positive, the team shared, particularly regarding the practice staff and supervisors who support students in onboarding, learning the role, and settling into the local community.

Swanson said: “Whilst our students may come onboard in varying locations across the business, our goal is to provide them with all the support they require and make them feel part of a supported team.”

“Aside from the day-to-day support from our practice staff and managers, each student is provided with one-on-one supervision and has supported time with our lead clinician, Alix Buchanan, to explore any cases of interest,” she added.

A personal approach

Asked to share what they have learned from expanding pre-reg recruitment in this way, Swanson said: “We believe that attending the university, speaking with the students directly, and keeping our points of contact consistent is key for building a trusting relationship with the university faculty and students. Overall, our personal approach to pre-reg recruitment allows us to ensure a better candidate experience.”

Given the success of the strategy, this is an approach that Duncan & Todd intends to continue in the future.

With the changes to the education of students and pre-registration optometrists, Buchanan explained: “We are continuing to review our recruitment process as we receive more information on the change to optometry education.”

“We anticipate the continuation of welcoming newly-graduated students and supporting them with placements within the Duncan & Todd Group.”