Spectacle Technician Apprenticeship - Darlington Specsavers

Summary

Our apprenticeship scheme gives people the chance to boost their existing skillset and start an exciting new career, all whilst earning a full-time wage. We are currently looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about making a career in optics. Your role will include producing and repairing finished, quality-assured spectacles.

Wage

£17,101.92 a year

£8.20 per hour

Training course

Spectacle technician (level 3)

Hours

Full-time to include weekend working, with exact working days and hours to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Day-to-day activities include:

• Producing customer orders from scratch
• Interpreting optical prescriptions and drawings
• Correcting faults and re-assembling of glasses
• Carrying out testing and adjustments
• Prepare and maintain materials and equipment
• You’ll also make sure that you are producing the highest quality assured product

Such benefits which you will receive for working with Specsavers are:

• Earn a salary whilst learning new skills
• Structured career opportunities for the future
• Get experience of full-time work and enjoy paid holidays
• Work for a friendly employer who values you
• Receive comprehensive and structured training
• Learn transferable as well as job-specific skills

Where you'll work

41-42 High Row
Darlington
DL3 7QW

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SPECSAVERS OPTICAL SUPERSTORES LIMITED

Training course

Spectacle technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Apply health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders for example, colleagues, managers and the public – verbal, written or electronic. Use industry terminology.
• Identify hazards and risks in the workplace: PPE, COSHH, manual handling.
• Use tools and equipment required to manufacture optical products: lenses, frames and, component parts.
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, priority and environmental impact.
• Calibrate and maintain optical equipment and tools to supplier guidelines and MDD specifications, such as blocker, tracer, lens curve generator, coating equipment or focimeter.
• Apply quality assurance principles and procedures and record outcomes for completed orders.
• Identify products, their classification and any impact on manufacturing or quality, for example engravings on safety glasses, and remarking progressives.
• Monitor stock levels and rotate stock.
• Collect and use data on productivity and quality to improve processes and staff training.
• Prepare component parts for manufacturing or treatment.
• Manufacture component parts to complete the manufacturing or treatment process.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with data protection, and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Apply standard operating procedures SOPs for optical products.
• Apply repair practices and techniques to optical products.
• Select tools and equipment to manufacture and repair optical products.
• Plan work sequence to support the effective use of time and resources in the manufacturing process.
• Produce customer orders from online, telephone and face to face requests.
• Check and calibrate tools and equipment.
• Interpret work instructions including optical prescriptions, and manufacturer’s guidance for component parts.
• Conducts supplier and credit process.
• Apply safe systems of work and control measures.
• Apply health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders for example, colleagues, managers and the public – verbal, written or electronic. Use industry terminology.
• Identify hazards and risks in the workplace: PPE, COSHH, manual handling.
• Use tools and equipment required to manufacture optical products: lenses, frames and, component parts.
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, priority and environmental impact.
• Calibrate and maintain optical equipment and tools to supplier guidelines and MDD specifications, such as blocker, tracer, lens curve generator, coating equipment or focimeter.
• Apply quality assurance principles and procedures and record outcomes for completed orders.
• Identify products, their classification and any impact on manufacturing or quality, for example engravings on safety glasses, and remarking progressives.
• Monitor stock levels and rotate stock.
• Collect and use data on productivity and quality to improve processes and staff training.
• Prepare component parts for manufacturing or treatment.
• Manufacture component parts to complete the manufacturing or treatment process.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with data protection, and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Apply standard operating procedures SOPs for optical products.
• Apply repair practices and techniques to optical products.
• Select tools and equipment to manufacture and repair optical products.
• Plan work sequence to support the effective use of time and resources in the manufacturing process.
• Produce customer orders from online, telephone and face to face requests.
• Check and calibrate tools and equipment.
• Interpret work instructions including optical prescriptions, and manufacturer’s guidance for component parts.
• Conducts supplier and credit process.
• Apply safe systems of work and control measures.

Training schedule

• Level 3 - Spectacle Maker Apprenticeship Standard
• Daily on the job training in store - no college to attend
• Full-time, 5 out of 7 days
• Training provider - Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade 9-4 (A*-C))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Logical

Other requirements

Before applying, please check that you are able to travel to the store location on a daily basis, bearing in mind the salary etc.