We are delighted to announce a grant to The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) to fund a new project to inspire an early interest in careers in eye care among primary and secondary school pupils.
Encouraging young people to consider careers in eye care is essential for the future of our professions, and we are pleased to contribute to a project that brings together employers, education providers and practitioners. This initiative has the potential to make a lasting difference by giving young people a clearer understanding of the opportunities available and by equipping the sector with the tools needed to engage with future generations.
Inspiring an interest in careers in optics
A SPOKE project on Admissions and Recruitment identified the need to increase interest in and applications to join the professions. The newly funded project will develop careers and outreach learning resources to be piloted and evaluated by optical registrants and in schools in four locations.
The resources will provide optical registrants with training, resources and materials for local careers outreach activities, supporting them to deliver engaging and inspiring sessions to attract interest in careers in the optical professions. This supports the sector’s ambition to promote optometry and ophthalmic dispensing as first-choice career options for applicants.
The project launched on Friday 3 July 2026 with an online round table scoping meeting, bringing together delegates from sector employers, education providers and other bodies to shape development of the project. The project will focus on increasing awareness of the breadth, impact and rewards of careers in optometry, ophthalmic dispensing and the wider sector.
Professor Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education at The College of Optometrists said “This funding from the Central Optical Fund will allow us to work with colleagues across the sector to develop high-quality, engaging training and resources for outreach to schools, by practitioners and organisations. By investing in outreach now, we can help inspire the next generation of professionals and strengthen the future workforce.”