SPECSAVERS has appointed a new Head of Graduate Recruitment and Retention

New senior appointment supporting student and pre-reg optometrists

SPECSAVERS has appointed a new Head of Graduate Recruitment and Retention with a focus on supporting student and pre-reg optometrists.

Bethany Cann, who has been with Specsavers for nine years, says Specsavers is focused on helping equip new optometrists with the clinical and professional skills they need to succeed in their careers.

‘Specsavers provides sector-leading training and professional development for clinicians. We are also constantly looking at how we can develop this. I’m interested in how we can provide more support around softer skills such as communication, for example,’ she says.

‘The current generation of students has had a very different learning experience as the world moved online because of the pandemic. Some students aren’t used to being in a working environment and interacting with people. I’m looking at how we can help to help them and the wider eye health sector, which supports Specsavers’ purpose to change lives.’

Ms Cann adds that she will look to build on the strong links that Specsavers already has with universities offering optometry courses. ‘Specsavers colleagues, for example, have assisted with interview preparations and employability sessions for students.’

Another highlight of the role is working with her team and partners in Specsavers community practices when it comes to placing pre-reg optometrists, she says.

‘Specsavers is proud to be the largest provider of pre-reg places in the optics sector and it is very rewarding when you see new optometrists succeeding in their careers, with our sector-leading pre-reg programme and supportive partners.’