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John Seegers
Product: Laramy-K OpticianWorks Optical Qualification Standard
Top Line: As part of a more-than-a-decade-long mission to further optical education, John Seegers, director of education for Laramy-K Optical and Keith Benjamin, director of marketing, have developed a new concept in optician staff training that brings the practical element back to optician training. Designed for in-office implementation, the program called the Laramy-K OpticianWorks Optical Qualification Standard (OQS) is now available for free download.
Close Up: With the eyewear market becoming more competitive by the day, it is more important than ever to have well-trained opticians on-staff. That is the reason John Seegers, pictured here, started the OpticianWorks online training program in 2008. However, as effective and convenient as online training can be, its biggest limitation has always been the lack of hands-on practical application.
After years of searching for a solution, Seegers and Benjamin have developed an easy-to-implement 62-page document they believe will change the way opticians are trained. The Laramy-K OpticianWorks Optician Qualification Standard (OQS) is a downloadable PDF that brings the optician curriculum out of the books and off the web pages into the real world—more specifically, the optician’s place of business.
The OQS contains the knowledge and proficiencies necessary for someone to become a competent optician. Presented in the form of “bite-sized” knowledge and practical requirements, the OQS can be used with any training material available but is designed to work in conjunction with the OpticiansWorks program.
“The beauty of the printable OQS is that it lives in the real world,” said Benjamin. “It acts as a road map, progress monitor, motivational tool, and physical proof of competency all-in-one. As long as you have at least one or two people in your office who you can designate as qualifiers with the ability to discuss, verify, and sign off on requirements, you can essentially hand this document to your new hire or trainee, set a timeline for completion, and you're on your way.“
Vital Stats: The OQS is supplemented by 150 videos available for free on the Laramy-K YouTube channel. “It is absolutely incredible to see the reach and impact we’ve been able to have with the YouTube channel, which has grown to over 28,000 subscribers and 2.4 million views,” Benjamin remarked. “Our hope to have an even greater impact with the introduction of this qualification standard.”
Learn more about the OQS and download it for free on the Laramy-K Opticianworks website.
https://opticianworks.com/OQS