Wiseman Winner toasts manufacturing excellence

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers’ annual awards ceremony celebrated excellence in optics, and with one lab manager picking up the coveted Wiseman Memorial Prize.

Michael Ward, who manages a busy lab in Milton Keynes for Specsavers, was commended for achieving top marks in the Optical Technicians Level 4 Exam, known as SMC Tech (Level 4), following two years of study and practical examinations.  This took place alongside managing the busy lab, which serves five consulting rooms.

Regarded as the Gold Standard in optical manufacturing, the challenging qualification tests optical manufacturing knowledge and practical skills as well as the complex mathematics needed for turning a prescription into the very best vision.

Michael, who has worked in a lab for three years, and was previously an optical assistant, explained that he has always had an interest in physical sciences.  His degree in Biosciences and Health was a great asset, particularly with the anatomy aspects of the course –
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“This training has really followed my natural interests in applying core principles.  I am very proud of the qualification, as it doesn’t get any higher than this in optical manufacturing.”