It's tough, but fun and super interesting.
Bianca Dohmen was a travel consultant for twenty years. COVID-19 forced her to embark on a new career path, which she found in optics. Next year, she hopes to complete Summa's vocational training program to become an optician. "It's challenging, but fun and incredibly interesting."
It took Bianca a while to figure things out when her employer went bankrupt due to the coronavirus crisis. “I had thought about optics before. Just like with the work of a travel advisor, you have a lot of customer contact and you want to help customers as well as possible.” So when the UWV offered her the opportunity to take the MBO (intermediate vocational education) module in optics assortment management and assisting with refraction , she didn't have to think twice. “It is a three-month program. That is manageable and gives you the chance to discover if the profession is really for you. That turned out to be the case.”
Motivated
After completing the partial program, Bianca immediately continued with the work-study optician program . She already had a job at the time, at Mestrini Optiek in Meerssen. “I joined halfway through the school year. I did receive exemptions for assortment management and assisting with refraction, but it was still tough. My fellow students had a considerable head start. By working really hard, I was able to finish the first year at the same time as them.” Her motivation and determination helped in this regard. “I really want to become an optician. I find it a fun and super interesting profession.”
Practical bbl training optician
She goes to school one day a week. "We have part theory, part practical. In the practical lessons, for example, we're currently working on soldering and grinding glasses. It's great that I can use that directly at Mestrini. I now do almost everything there, except for eye exams. Those are scheduled for my third and final year. After that, I'll officially be an optician."
Asking questions
Bianca is positive about the optician training program at Summa & Bedrijf. “The instructor explains the theory well, and you can always ask questions. The practical instructor assesses your work and offers tips and tricks. The practice exam is also great. The instructor observes and provides feedback, allowing you to fine-tune your technique for the actual exam. And you can always ask questions in the group chat. The instructors really care about you. As a prospective optician, I really appreciate that.”
Want to know more?
Read more about the courses:
For more information please contact:
Sebastian van Dooren
Phone: +06 28 48 28 10
Email: sebastiaan.vandooren@summacollege.nl