Optical roles prove weekend jobs are alive and well for young people
An opticians in Cannock is showing that the traditional Saturday job is far from dead by giving young people the chance to learn new skills and kick-start their careers.
Figures show that almost one in eight of those aged 16-24 are not in education, employment or training, and the decline of the traditional Saturday job has been identified as a reason that young people aren’t ready for work.
However, the locally owned and run Specsavers Cannock store is committed to encouraging more youngsters into the world of work. Store director, Jaspreet Dhaliwal, knows first-hand the value of weekend roles, having worked regular Saturdays in the Lichfield store while studying optometry before going on to own and run both of the Specsavers stores in Cannock.
Another great example of the impact these roles can have is Scarlett Harris, who first joined the Cannock team for a work experience placement. This led to a weekend job and ultimately changed her career path; Scarlett decided to study optometry and is now in her second year at Aston University.
"We’re passionate about encouraging the younger generation to consider optics as a potential career," says Jaspreet Dhaliwal, store director at Specsavers Cannock. "Weekend roles are a fantastic way to gain real-world experience and supplement the knowledge students are picking up at university. From a business perspective, it’s great to invest in these individuals early on, as the intention is they will go on to work with us full-time once qualified."
Scarlett adds: "My work experience and weekend role at Specsavers Cannock completely changed my career plans. I discovered how rewarding a career in optometry could be, and the support from the team gave me the confidence to pursue it. I’m now in my second year at Aston University and couldn’t be happier with the decision I made."
Weekend roles for young people at Specsavers often involve greeting customers, supporting the team with appointments, and learning about the technology and processes involved in an eye examination. For many young people, it’s their first experience of the workplace, helping them to build confidence and learn valuable skills.
Specsavers offers a wide range of career paths, from retail and customer service to clinical roles in optics. With ongoing training and development opportunities, the stores are committed to investing in their teams and helping people progress.
