TALENTED Chloe Long and Aaron Turner are flying the flag for the life-changing opportunities being offered by apprenticeship schemes in Harlow.

So, to mark National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February), both Chloe and Aaron are urging others to join a scheme and kickstart their careers, with their own experiences having put them on the road to a rewarding future.

25-year-old Chloe is currently an Audiology Practitioner at the locally-owned-and-run Harvey Shopping Centre store. She’s been part of the team since September 2022, and completed Cert 3 courses to be a dispensing technician and contact lens technician in August last year.

She plans to stay in the business long-term, and is currently weighing up her options between becoming an audiologist and a contact lens optician.

Chloe says: ‘The apprenticeship has been amazing for me, as it had provided me with a rewarding career with stability and a wealth of knowledge. I feel as though I’ve been able to progress so far in such a short amount of time, and have really appreciated my time learning new skills.’

34-year-old Aaron, an apprentice Hearing Aid Dispenser, was pleasantly surprised to find there was a wide age range of apprentices on his course – which he’s studying through De Montford University. He’s been at Specsavers Harlow for nearly three years, but has been with the wider business for nearly eight years.

He’s due to graduate in September this year with a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Hearing Aid Audiology. He plans to continue his studies to turn that into a Bachelor’s Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology, as well as working towards the clinical lead role in store.

Aaron says: ‘Apprenticeship has been the best way for me to study. Being in my 30s, I have life commitments that would prevent me from upping sticks and running off to university to study full-time. So having the option to stay working full-time – with a full-time income – while furthering my education and progressing my career has been fantastic.

‘I would absolutely recommend studying an apprenticeship to others. Working while studying is also a great way to learn for anyone who feels they learn better from hands on experience rather than just studying, since the vast majority of what you learn is then immediately put into practice at work reinforcing that learning.

‘For anyone else out there who is worried about feeling like an old person being surrounded by a bunch of 18 year olds, like I was, I was actually very pleasantly surprised to find that there was quite a wide range of ages in the students on my course, from early 20s to late 50s, since many people are using apprenticeships as a way to change careers rather than going into studies straight out of school or college.’

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, a wide range of Essex organisations are announcing opportunities for people of all ages.

Specsavers is 2025 National Apprenticeship Skills Award Winner for the Large Employer category, while having a 98% pass distinction across all of its apprentices. It also holds the Princess Royal Training Award from 2024.

Faye Hall, Audiology Director at Specsavers Harlow, says: ‘We’re all incredibly proud of Chloe and Aaron – and all our other apprentices – for all of their hard work on the shopfloor and with their studies.

‘Their stories show that it doesn’t matter how old you are, there is a place for you on an apprenticeship and it could be the start of an amazing career journey.’

Specsavers Harlow is open seven days a week. For further information contact 01279 410888.