There will be three board places open for election in 2015. Two seats are currently held by members entitled to seek re-election, they are Keith Cavaye and Kevin Milsom. In addition, a vacancy has arisen due to the resignation of Kevin Gutsell on his appointment as CEO for the FMO.

Nominations are sought from fully qualified members of the Association who wish to make a meaningful contribution to the future of the profession.

For more information and to download the nomination form click here.

Completed nomination papers should be returned to the General Secretary, ABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD no later than 10am on Friday 19 June 2015.

Those elected will take up their duties on Saturday 19 September 2015. Their period of office will be for three years.

Saturday 19 September 2015

ABDO Benevolent Fund annual meeting

The twenty seventh annual meeting of the Benevolent Fund will be held at 4.45pm on Saturday 19 September 2015, at The Lancaster Suite, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS.

Agenda

1. Welcome by the Chairman of the Benevolent Fund Management Committee, Jennifer Brower
2. Presentation of the 2014 annual report and accounts
3. Questions to the Benevolent Fund Management Committee
4. Close of meeting

ABDO annual meeting

The twenty ninth annual meeting of the Association will be held immediately after the ABDO Benevolent Fund annual meeting.

Agenda

1. Welcome by the ABDO President, Peter Black
2. Presentation of the 2014 annual report and accounts
3. Questions to the ABDO President and Board
4. Close of meeting

ABDO members wishing to attend these two meetings are kindly requested to inform Jane Burnand by email at jburnand@abdolondon.org.uk by Tuesday 1 September 2015.

ABDO College and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) have agreed in principle that, with effect from 1 September 2015, the College will take over the day-to-day running and administration of the WCSM training courses for optical technicians and optical retail staff leading to the WCSM’s nationally accredited qualifications. The WCSM will remain the awarding body, and will accredit the College as an examination centre. Successful candidates will still be presented with their certificates at the Company’s annual ceremony in Apothecaries’ Hall each October.

The WCSM retains responsibility for running the examinations scheduled for June and December 2015, and the preparatory training leading up to them, based on the existing programme of qualifications. However, the two organisations are already engaged in a review of that programme with a view to the introduction of a simpler, more easily understood suite of qualifications, including a new Level 4 qualification for optical retail staff to stand alongside the renowned ‘SMC Tech’ qualification regarded by many as the gold standard for optical technicians. It is proposed that those attaining the new qualification will be entitled to put the letters ‘SMC(OA)’ after their names.

This planned initiative is intended to provide a solid foundation for the development of essential optical skills, and opens up a clearly defined career pathway for those entering optics at the lowest levels. As ABDO College Principal Jo Underwood explained: “For those acquiring the WCSM Level 4 qualifications who wish to progress further, we are seeking to enable a seamless transition into year 2 of the ABDO College Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing course, which in turn leads to the Level 6 ‘FBDO’ qualification awarded by the Association of British Dispensing Optician.” Indeed, it is hoped that the change will also eventually swell the number of former WCSM students who have not only subsequently obtained the FBDO qualification, but gone on to qualify as optometrists.

It was also announced that the WCSM’s director of training, Deborah Gigg, has joined ABDO College as course co-ordinator - optical support programmes, and she gave this assurance: “Those studying for the June and December 2015 examinations will be fully supported, and if necessary enabled to resit any units that they do not pass first time throughout 2016 and into 2017.”

Commenting on behalf of the WCSM, the Master, Dr Christine Tomkins, said “The Company anticipates that optical technicians and optical retail staff will be able to benefit from ABDO College’s proven expertise in training and conducting examinations. The resources at the College’s disposal will ensure that the Livery Company’s qualifications are attained by a broader section of the optical community, and thereby raise the standards of eye care available to the public.”

Those seeking further information should contact the ABDO College Courses Team on 01227 738 829 (Option 1) or email info@abdocollege.org.uk, or the WCSM on 020 7236 2932 or email Clerk@spectaclemakers.com.

Optrafair organisers, the FMO, have confirmed that Optrafair will be returning to Birmingham again next year, taking place in the usual springtime slot – 9 to 11 April 2016. The FMO’s show partners will once again be the team at Optician, who will be operating under newly defined parameters to deliver an improved and even more dynamic show.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has announced plans to move to a new, more modern office in the Farringdon area of London.

The regulator expects to move by the end of the summer once the new space has been fitted out. The GOC will surrender its lease on its current premises, a converted house on Harley Street.

To read more click here.