Program Overview
Pathway is a six-month course through which experienced Specsavers optometrists, optical dispensers and retail managers prepare for practice ownership and qualify to become Specsavers Joint Venture Partners.
What does Pathway offer?
Skills
Learn valuable leadership and business management skills that will elevate your career.
Blended learning
Test out your new skills in-store while receiving a hybrid of in-person and virtual training, and utilising online resources.
Mentoring
Gain one-on-one coaching and mentor support from experienced store and Specsavers Support staff.
Support
Access extended support from the dedicated Pathway team, whose sole job is to help you realise your partnership goals.
Networking
Build relationships with like-minded colleagues through the program modules and social events.
Priority selection
Have an advantage with our suitable new Specsavers partnership opportunities upon program completion.
Support
A wide support network is available to you as a Pathway participant.
Our Pathway team will be available to assist you and answer any questions you may have in between modules, and will touch base with you regularly throughout the program to ensure you are on the right track.
Your Store Partners and Regional Support team will be able to provide advice and counsel during your development and may also provide additional coaching to help you embed your learning in a practical setting.
You will also have numerous opportunities to network and stay in contact with your fellow Pathway participants. As you are on the same journey, you will more than likely be facing the same challenges, and by building these relationships and sharing your experiences, you may be able to help each other overcome them.
After completion of the program, you will also be supported by a dedicated Partner Recruitment team.
Meet the Team
Learn more about the Specsavers support staff who will be supporting you on your journey to partnership and what they love about being involved in Pathway.
Emily Dunkin
Pathway Program Consultant
As a part of the Pathway team, my involvement is to support your Pathway journey. I work to maintain the functions of the Pathway program and provide the participants with any support that they may need. Aided by my background in project management, I assist with all aspects of the program including facilitating modules and participant support and development.
How to Apply
There are two ways to join Pathway:
- Let your store partner and/or your Regional Relationship Manager know that you are interested in joining Pathway and they will liaise with the Pathway team on your behalf.
- Apply directly to the Pathway team. From there, the Pathway team will get in touch with your Regional Relationship Manager and/or your store partner to discuss your candidacy.
Pathway intake dates
The Pathway team is pleased to share our Pathway program schedule for 2024. We continue to cater to the high demand by our senior optometry and retail team members to take the next steps in their Partnership development journey with our five intakes. These are set to begin in February, April, May, July, and September.
Pathway is now delivered in a hybrid format where participants will be supported to travel to Melbourne for the Induction, Self and Leadership Operations modules while all further modules will be completed online via Zoom.
Interested in embarking on the journey? Take a look at the dates below.
Not with Specsavers?
Understanding Specsavers’ culture, brand and how we operate as a business is a critical part of being a successful Specsavers joint venture partner, and the best way to learn these elements is to experience them in-store. As such, all potential Pathway participants must be employed with Specsavers full-time for a period of time before they can be eligible to join Pathway.
Although Pathway is for Specsavers optical professionals, we welcome expressions of interest from anyone seeking to join our joint venture partnership. Enquire now and a member of our team will get in touch to discuss your next steps towards leading your own Specsavers store.
