Presentation of Certificates
17 October 2011

The Qualifications Committee now arranges examinations for those seeking the WCSM's nationally accredited qualifications for optical technicians and optical practice support staff twice a year – in June and December.

However, for practical reasons, the Company only holds one annual certification ceremony – in mid-October – and with candidates drawn from across the United Kingdom it is understandable that many find it too difficult and / or too expensive to travel to Apothecaries' Hall to attend, and therefore opt to have their certificate posted to them.

Thus, while the December 2010 and June 2011 examinations produced a total of 20 new SMC(Techs), and saw 5 individuals qualify for the Level 2 Certificate in Optical Production Processes, with 20 qualifying for the Level 3 Certificate in Optical Practice Support (OPS) and 59 for the Level 2 Certificate in Optical Practice Support, only 20 of the successful candidates were able to attend the Presentation Ceremony.

Alexander Marcou receives the prize
for best result in Level 3 OPS

Denise Cridland receives the
Level 2 OPS award

Alexander Durie receives the
Wiseman Memorial Prize

Joe Jordan receives the
Arnold Sinclair Prize

Christian Kelly receives the
Benny Lipsey Prize

The Master presented the Company's prize for the best result in the Level 3 OPS examination to Alexander Marcou of Alexander Opticians, East Grinstead.   Denise Cridland, an employee of David Wood Opticians, Burnham on Crouch received this year's Level 2 OPS award.

Alexander Durie an employee of Eyeware Direct in Shrewsbury, won the Company's prize for the best all-round performance in the Part II examination for the SMC(Tech) qualification, and also the Max Wiseman Memorial Prize for the best result in the practical examination, which was presented by Past Master Mo Jalie, Chairman of the Wiseman trust .

The Arnold Sinclair Prize which is awarded to the student who has achieved the best results in the first year SMC (Tech) examinations was won by Joseph Jordan an employee of Specsavers Opticians in Hinckley.

The Benny Lipsey prize for the best result in the Level 2 Optical Production Processes examination was won by Christian Kelly of Vision Call in Cambuslang, Glasgow.

A film of the ceremony can be viewed on the Optometry Today website »