Success in sight for Cullompton apprentice
An ambitious 18-year-old from Cullompton, is celebrating ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March 2017), after securing a coveted place on an in-demand apprenticeship programme with national optician Vision Express.
Chloe Nagle has taken up a full-time post at the Exeter Vision Express store on the 13-month employee-embedded scheme, which has received over 5,500 applicants since it began in February 2014.
Chosen from an average of 46 applicants for each available post, Chloe will be working towards a Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship in Health (Optical Retail), which is equivalent to five GCSEs.
Chloe, who was previously studying Health & Beauty at Exeter College, says the ‘hands-on’ nature of an apprenticeship is a lot more flexible and offers more efficient learning than her previous course. “I was looking to switch courses at college but none of the other subjects appealed to me so I started looking for an apprenticeship,” she says.
“I spotted the Vision Express opportunity and was immediately excited as I’ve been visiting the Exeter store since I was eight years old and I’ve always loved glasses. In fact, I was really disappointed early on because I didn’t need them until I was 13.”
Chloe says she absolutely loves working at the store and her favourite part of the role is interacting with both customers and colleagues alike. “Everyone is so lovely.” she says. “The team is very supportive and I find it very inspirational to watch the different ways in which they work. They are teaching me new things every day and I love the fast pace of the store.”
She is hoping to continue her career at Vision Express, ultimately becoming a dispensing optician and a member of the management team. “I would absolutely recommend a Vision Express apprenticeship to anyone who has a passion for glasses and style and is prepared to work hard for great opportunities,” she added.
Fraser Cairns, store manager at Vision Express Exeter, said: “Our apprenticeship programme continues to be extremely popular and is a fantastic way to nurture young, ambitious talent. We are working closely with Chloe to develop her knowledge and skills and hopefully opening up a wealth of career options to enable her to progress further within the company.”
The apprenticeship scheme is just one way Vision Express is helping tackle the issue of youth unemployment in the UK. In 2015 it joined The 5% Club, pledging to have 5% of its UK workforce comprising young people on structured training schemes over the next five years.
Kate Clayton, human resources director, who joined the organisation as an apprentice, said: “It’s great to nurture new talent like Chloe’s. Vision Express is a people company and we continue to see a high demand from ambitious youngsters who are keen to share our journey.”
Vision Express CEO Jonathan Lawson added: “Vision Express is a growing company offering unique and diverse career potential and, an average of 46 applicants per position, proves our apprenticeship programme continues to be very popular.”
Managed and delivered by in-house optical experts, the scheme gives candidates the opportunity to earn while they learn, with assessor support and hands-on experience.
The spring apprenticeship intake starts on 8 March. The June intake will be open for applications from late March. To qualify candidates must be at least 16 years old and not in full or part time education.
A specially-commissioned video charting the experiences of Vision Express apprentices can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acUROlBk414
For more information about the apprenticeships at Vision Express visit: www.visionexpresscareers.com
