Asda has debuted an industry-first optician apprenticeship programme giving 13 staff the chance to become a dispensing optician.

Launching this month, upon completion of the course, the apprenticeship will provide the colleagues with a level 6 FBDO qualification leading to registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a qualified dispensing optician.

The supermarket is set to support staff through additional hours to allow them to be paid while studying and to ensure dedicated supervision by registered optical professionals.

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Asda added that its new scheme marks the first time an apprenticeship for this professional role has ever been run in the optical profession.

Chief people and corporate affairs officer Hayley Tatum said: “We are incredibly proud to launch this new apprenticeship scheme and offer our talented optical colleagues the chance to secure a recognised industry qualification whilst gaining practical experience at the same time.”

The new initiative follows Asda partnering with InHealth to become first supermarket in the UK to offer NHS diabetic eye screening.