Optical roles in Edinburgh prove weekend jobs are alive and well for young people
OPTICIANS in Edinburgh are showing that the traditional Saturday job is far from dead by giving young people the chance to learn new skills and kick-start their careers.
Figures show that almost one in eight of those aged 16-24 are not in education, employment or training and the decline of the traditional Saturday job has been identified as a reason that young people aren’t ready for work.
However, the locally owned and run Specsavers stores in Edinburgh which include Gyle Centre, Blackhall, Morningside, Cameron Toll and Nicolson Street are committed to encouraging more youngsters into the world of work.
Each of these stores employ Saturday workers, many of whom are students looking to go into the sector or just looking for jobs to get them through their degrees.
Specsavers Blackhall employs Stella, 19, while Specsavers Gyle Centre store employs Divisna, 17, both of whom work weekends alongside their studies. Their role offers hands-on experience, helping to develop skills in customer service and retail, while providing an introduction to the wide range of further career and training opportunities available.
Stella, a former pupil of Dunblane High School, moved to Edinburgh to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon. Now in her second year studying Veterinary Medicine, Stella has been working with Specsavers for the past 18 months.
She says: ‘Working at Specsavers has been a perfect fit alongside my veterinary medicine degree, as the flexibility means I can balance my studies while gaining valuable experience in a professional environment. Plus, the extra income really helps with the essentials as a student - it takes a lot of pressure off.’
Divisna currently works with Specsavers Gyle Centre as an optical assistant at weekends and is even looking to study optometry next year.
She says: ‘The opportunity to work with Specsavers part time over weekend shifts not only helps support the store’s staffing requirements, but benefits me hugely, as I can learn and earn whilst keeping my week free for studying, so the role is mutually beneficial.’
Meanwhile Eve Wight, 17, has worked at the Cameron Toll store for 18 months alongside her studies at Sighthill College and was just awarded the title of ‘Employee of the Year’.
Hannah Wilson, 19, has worked at the Nicolson Street store since January 2024, gaining invaluable experience as an optical assistant whilst she studied. She is now doing a Masters degree in optometry.
Weekend working opportunities are incredibly important, particularly in fields such as optics, where study and development are integral elements of an optical career pathway.
Weekend roles for young people at Specsavers often involve greeting customers, supporting the team with appointments, and learning about the technology and processes involved in an eye examination. For many young people, it’s their first experience of the workplace, helping them to build confidence and learn valuable skills.
‘We’re passionate about encouraging the younger generation to consider optics as a potential career,’ says Specsavers Blackhall store director, Adam Gordon. ‘A Saturday job is a fantastic way to dip your toe in the water and gain real-world work experience in a supportive environment.
‘It’s not just about earning extra money, it’s about learning to work as part of a team and developing communication and customer service skills that will stay with you for life,’ adds Specsavers Gyle Centre store director Craig Daker. ‘Many of our colleagues started out in Saturday roles and have gone on to build long and successful careers with us, which is something we’re incredibly proud of.’
Specsavers offers a wide range of career paths, from retail and customer service to clinical roles in optics. With ongoing training and development opportunities, the stores are committed to investing in their teams and helping people progress.
For more information about your nearest Specsavers store in Edinburgh, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores.