Hundreds of students from Years 9, 10 and 12 at Ark Acton Academy in Acton have taken part in a careers fair organised by Ealing Connexions which featured a number of local businesses across the borough explaining more about what they do and the type of careers on offer.
Among the businesses taking part was Specsavers Acton.
Its director and dispensing optician Sneha Pancholi, explained how she started as a teenager working for her local opticians in Hounslow which provided an insight into optometry and running a business. Ms Pancholi then progressed by studying for a BSc Hons in Optical Management at The Anglia Ruskin University.
She said of taking part at the careers fair: “I was delighted to support Ark Acton Academy and to discuss the various career options available at Specsavers. The students asked some really insightful questions, so it was great to be able to help them, offer suggestions and provide some guidance around their current ideas about potential careers and the many styles of study on offer these days, including apprenticeships and blended learning approaches with on-the-job training.”
Ms Pancholi added: “As a store we are keen to offer our team the opportunity to study for various qualifications so they can progress and realise their potential. As an organisation, Specsavers is very good at offering staff the chance to train in different areas of the business.”
Alison Delius, employer event lead adviser for Connexions Ealing said: “This was a fantastic, well attended event for the students from Years 9, 10 and 12. They were highly engaged and expressed their enjoyment of the day.”
Ms Delius added: “We were delighted that Sneha and Kim were able to attend this event, as we do appreciate how busy they are. It really helps the pupils when they can speak directly to local business people and find out first-hand what is involved in the different professions. Afterall, this may spark an interest in a career they may not have thought of before talking to them.
“I’m sure they also learned lots about a sight test, the science behind it and how it can reveal underlying health issues. And of course, a number of pupils were curious to find out what it’s like to work for a brand like Specsavers.”
