Optometry degree apprenticeship put on hold

Members of the optometry trailblazer group met yesterday to discuss the apprenticeship standard and end point proposal, which was submitted last month without prior circulation or involvement of group members. The group agreed that there were significant concerns surrounding the submission, and that further development and consultation would be required before it could be progressed to consideration by the Institute for Apprenticeship Training and Education. 

There was unanimous support for a hiatus to enable reflection and review, so that the extensive sector and group member feedback, provided in response to news of the submission, could be fully considered. The existing proposal has therefore been put on hold. This will allow a revised draft of the proposal to be developed and consulted on, with full involvement of all members of the group, as well as other key sector stakeholders.