ACOD and Canberra University enter training partnership

ACOD will deliver the full Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing HLT47815 to students ployed in the capital city and surrounding areas from July, and will also provide dispensing training for the University’s optometry students.While the 12-month program is predominantly online based, it is reinforced with five three-day workshops throughout the year. Students are also required to undertake at least 100 hours of work experience in a retail optical dispensary, and will need support from a workplace supervisor.ACOD director and senior trainer Mr James Gibbins said in the past Canberra students had been unhappy about travelling interstate for the workshops. Now, the training program will be brought to their doorstep at the newly-opened School of Optometry at the University of Canberra, Bruce.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“We believe this is the first time that students of this course from the area will not have to travel to Sydney or further for their workshops” -who:James Gibbins, ACOD.}}“We believe this is the first time that students of this course from the area will not have to travel to Sydney or further for their workshops,” he said.Additionally, Gibbins said most Canberra ACOD students would be eligible for ACT Government traineeships.“This means that for students who qualify for the traineeship – which we believe will apply to most applicants, dependant on the student background as ascertained from a pre-assessment process – the enrolment fee is capped at $1000,” he said.“The ployer may qualify for incentives of up to $4,000 and the student may qualify for $300 upon completion.”Gibbins said the approximately eight students were either enrolled or in the final stages of enrolment. The program would have capacity for 24 students.Canberra is now the ACOD’s fifth workshop location, with workshops also hosted in Sydney, Hobart, Perth and Auckland.Gibbins added that the ACOD is also considering future local training programs in Orange, Newcastle and Brisbane. More reading:Dispensing shake up predicted after years of inactivityGetting the handover right: Part 1Progressive dispensing – getting it right