Specsavers has welcomed its largest cohort of graduates, with 168 newly qualified optometrists joining the business across Australia and New Zealand in the first week of February.
The record number of new graduates joining Specsavers is the largest single intake the business has ever accepted into its Graduate Program since its inception and is a 29% increase on the previous year.
Of the graduates, 138 have taken up roles across Australia in both metro and regional stores, and 30 have joined its New Zealand business.
Specsavers professional recruitment director Mr Raj Sundarjee said the large cohort reflects graduates’ affinity with the company’s vision and values.
“The size of this year’s graduate intake indicates our mission to change lives through better sight and hearing is resonating strongly with optometry students, and that this new generation of optometrists recognises the value of evidence-based clinical practice in enhancing patient outcomes for Australians and New Zealanders,” he said.
The newest employees were officially welcomed into the Specsavers Graduate Program at the annual Specsavers Graduate Induction event on 27-28 February in Melbourne, the first face-to-face event of its kind since 2020.
The event provided information about Specsavers vision and values, and the business, as well as topics that included professional development and conduct, and an overview of eye health stakeholders such as RANZCO, Glaucoma Australia, Diabetes Australia, government, and the technology available in-store.
Small workshops, facilitated by a range of Specsavers specialists, provided opportunities to discuss topics including professional communication, therapeutics, Medicare, contact lenses and ophthalmic lenses.
“These were a highlight for the graduates as they provided opportunities to acquire in-depth information on topics highly relevant to clinical practice,” the company said.
The induction was the first development event in the Specsavers Graduate Program, a structured, two-year development program that provides graduates with clinical and commercial knowledge to grow their clinical skills and expertise, and offers a combination of professional events, courses and experiences designed specifically to enrich personal and professional growth.
The program is delivered through workshops, online programs, visitation programs, case studies, presentations, development meetings and clinical skills training and seminars.
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