Hucknall Specsavers mark National Apprentice Week by adding three apprentices to their team

To mark National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 February), a Hucknall opticians is celebrating three members of the team who are poised to begin an exciting career in optics thanks to an apprenticeship scheme.

Jazmin-Mae Rogers (16), Erin Cunningham-Burley (20) and Sally-Ann Huckle (27) have all joined Specsavers on Hucknall High Street, to embark on the company's apprenticeship programme.

When Jazmin finished school she wasn't sure what to do next but she is now learning how to deliver the best fitting glasses as a customer service apprentice.

Erin, who went to school in the local area, is an optical assistant apprentice. Having excelled in her studies, she will embark on the next set of qualifications as soon as she passes the programme in March.

While Sally-Ann proves that an apprenticeship is not just for school leavers, having joined the optical assistant apprenticeship following a career change.

She said: "When I saw that my local Specsavers store was looking to take on an apprentice, I had to apply. Having worked in retail and care previously I was looking for a different direction. I thought an apprenticeship would be a great opportunity to build a new career for myself. I have learnt so much in a short time. The team are lovely and have been really supportive in helping me to progress."

Store director Janet Archer said: "Apprenticeships are a great way to unlock the potential of young people or those looking for a career change and provide a way for them to embark on successful and fulfilling careers. We've had a number of apprentices with us over the years and it is so rewarding to watch them grow as individuals, play an integral role in our team, as well as support people in the local community further their careers."

Fatima Akhtar, who joined the Specsavers Hucknall team as an apprentice two years ago, is relishing the chance to further her studies. She said: "I am really enjoying combining practical learning in store alongside working towards gaining further qualifications. The apprenticeship programme was a real springboard for me, and my goal now is to qualify as a dispensing optician."

Other apprenticeship success stories from the Hucknall store include Daniel Boot, who joined the team seven years ago, and is now a lab supervisor and senior lab technician and Ellie Bennett, part of the team for six years, who is in the final year of being sponsored at Bradford University and is hoping to qualify as a dispensing optician this summer. While Hannah Stewart is now a fully trained lab technician after passing her customer service apprenticeship.

The Specsavers' apprenticeship programme offers employees an excellent opportunity to enter the world of work in a safe and structured way, providing them with a real job and great training with around 94% of people on the scheme taking on a full-time job with Specsavers.

Specsavers' one year apprenticeship is open to anyone over the age of 16 including recent school or college leavers, or those who are simply looking for a new challenge and requires no optical experience. For further information click here.

For more information about the Hucknall branch see here .