Opticians usually work eight hours per day, and they may work evenings and weekends. Most employers offer paid vacation and sick leave, and medical and vision insurance, and many provide dental and life insurance and retirement plans. Currently, most Dispensing Opticians are trained on the job by employers. Training may take up to two years, and opticians can take up to five years to become fully qualified. Training programs for opticians are scarce in California.
Most opticians gain experience working on the job.
According to the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, formal apprenticeship programs for opticians to train under the supervision of an experienced Dispensing Optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist can still be approved. However, employers have not requested formal apprenticeship contracts for new hires in California for the past several years. Employers rated good basic math skills as very important for Dispensing Opticians. They also need a talent for precise work, steady hands and a good sense of color. Cheerfulness, tact, communication skills and the ability to inspire customer confidence are other important personal attributes.