Specsavers
Specsavers has been a family-run optical retail chain for the past 40 years, offering optometry and optician services for eyesight testing and sells glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, as well as hearing tests and aids.
Years awarded: 2018, 2024, 2026
Region: East of England, South West
Size: 1000+ employees
Sector: Retail
Delivering clinical and professional excellence
Theme: Talent pipeline / Career pathways; Upskilling
Topics: Craft skills; In-house
Facing a decline in the uptake of optical-dispensing qualifications, Specsavers redesigned its Level 3 BTEC programme in 2023, training 3,000 learners in three years and rebuilding its talent pipeline. The tailored programme delivers clinical and professional excellence, boosting learner progression and retention. Impact includes 91% post-programme staff retention, higher customer satisfaction and a stronger sales performance.
Recruiting apprentices to maintain a talent pipeline
Theme: Apprenticeships
Topics: Coaching and mentoring; Customer service / Customer experience; Digital; Mental health and wellbeing; Neurodiversity
Since achieving an Award for its apprenticeship programme in 2018, Specsavers has increased its number of apprentices to over 600 per year. The organisation uses the programme to maintain a talent pipeline and retain employees in a sector where recruitment is challenging. An impressive 98% of apprentices are achieving a distinction and retention of apprentices in the organisation is at 63%.
Placing value in apprentices
Themes: Apprenticeships; Onboarding
This family-owned opticians places value in Apprenticeships as a way of improving capability and increasing retention in a sector renowned for its high levels of staff turnover. The business realised that it needed local buy-in and support and created ‘The Big Apprenticeship Promise’ – a social contract setting out working relationships and level of support offered.
News and case studies featuring Specsavers:
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