Optical technician
James is an Optical Technician at Specsavers
I work in a laboratory which makes prescription glasses and sunglasses for Specsavers’ customers. I make glasses and sunglasses, cutting lenses to fit people’s frames using special machines, and adding tints to lenses. I make sure each pair of glasses is made so it’s a perfect fit for the customer.
There’s a surprising amount of variation in my job. The steps we follow are always the same, but every pair of glasses is different, with different shapes, lens types and tints. I have to adapt each job for different prescriptions.
I like that my job is doing something that really matters. Glasses aren’t just fashion, they help people see. Without them, you can’t read a menu or cross the street safely. It’s good to know I’m making a difference for people.
Time management is a big one. Some jobs need to be done quickly, so we’ve got to plan what gets cut and when. You need a good eye for detail too. There are strict rules about how precise glasses have to be. A small mistake can mean starting the job all over again. I also need to be confident using machines and computers, and I sometimes talk to the shop team or suppliers, so communication is important too.
There are five of us in the lab, and we all work really well together. Everyone knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we help each other out. If someone’s not confident with a certain task, someone else will step in without any fuss. We all keep things running smoothly, and there’s no pressure to be perfect at everything. It’s a really supportive team.
I enjoy using the cutter. It’s the machine that trims the lens into the right shape to fit into the frame. We’ve got two of them, so while one is running, I can be setting up the next job. You really get into a rhythm and before you know it, you’ve done loads. I like that sense of flow - it makes the day go quickly.
My dog keeps me busy! I’ve got a sprocker (that’s a springer spaniel crossed with a cocker spaniel), and he needs a lot of walks. Luckily, I live just 10 minutes from the beach! I also enjoy a bit of gaming, watching films and baking.
At school I chose PE, geography and ICT for my GCSE options. I didn’t do brilliantly, I just scraped through, really. I found it hard to learn by sitting down and listening all day. I’m much happier doing things with my hands, moving around and being practical.
Passing my apprenticeship with a distinction meant a lot to me. I pushed myself to study hard and prove that I could do it. It felt like a big achievement, especially after struggling so much with school. It showed me I can succeed when I put my mind to it.
I’ve already finished my Level 3 apprenticeship and now I’m doing a Level 4 BTEC in Optical Dispensing. That means taking some exams, but I’m enjoying learning new things and improving my skills. I’m not sure what comes next, but I’m happy to keep progressing and see where it leads.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do. Just keep going and stay open to new ideas. I had no clue this job even existed until I stumbled across it. Now I love it. Sometimes your path finds you when you’re not even looking.
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