AN AMBITIOUS optical assistant from Bude is the first graduate of the coveted Vision Express apprenticeship scheme to secure a store manager position, taking charge of the town’s Belle Vue opticians this month.

Esther Slade, aged just 21, will lead a team comprising one full-time and three part-time staff members, and has returned to the area to take up the challenge after undergoing manager training in Truro.

Originally from North Devon, Esther moved to Bude in 2014 and applied for her place on Vision Express’ in-demand training programme in November 2015.

With a hunger to learn, Esther quickly made an impression, clinching an award for ‘going above and beyond’ during her course. Upon graduating in 2017 with a Level 2, intermediate apprenticeship in health (optical retail), Esther was appointed to a permanent position at the Bude store, before relocating to work for the company in Cwmbran in 2017.

Following a two-year stint in stores, Esther jumped at the chance to apply for the managerial position in Bude when it became available, a store which has been trading in the town for nine years. She said: “I really enjoyed my apprenticeship and the two years working in store, but I like a challenge and to put myself outside of my comfort zone, so I applied for the store manager position and was absolutely thrilled when I was offered it.

“I really enjoyed working as part of the brilliant optical team at Bude, so I can’t wait to go back and lead it. I’m very excited about starting this new phase of my career.”

Esther was among the first 80 Vision Express ‘graduates’, after the apprenticeship scheme launched in 2014.

Managed and delivered by in-house optical experts, candidates are given the opportunity to earn while they learn, benefiting from continual assessor support.