Episode #14
The Future of Optician Training and Certification | Brian Diener, Optical Training Institute
Does 10 years of experience automatically make you a better optician than someone with two? Not necessarily. Brian Diener, director at the Optical Training Institute (OTI), sits down with Gwen Cooper, executive director at United Opticians Association (UOA), to explore what it takes to become a confident and effective optician. Brian explains why a résumé doesn't tell the full story, how hiring assessments can reveal strengths and knowledge gaps, and why every optician's learning path is different. The conversation takes a closer look at apprenticeship training, where requirements can vary dramatically between states. Hear what meaningful on-the-job training can look like and the specific skills employers look for when hiring opticians. Brian and Gwen also discuss certification, workforce shortages, and the push for greater consistency across opticianry — including clearer job titles and standards. In this episode, you will learn: Why years of experience don’t always reflect an optician’s true knowledge and skills What separates being supervised on the job from having a mentor who actively teaches on-the-job competencies How certification and clearer job titles can establish a standard for optician competency This episode is brought to you by Optical Training Institute: http://opticaltraining.com Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org
