Abstract
Florida has a concentration of optical companies, but not to the degree of Arizona, California, or the Northeast Corridor. A new program is being developed in association with the State of Florida and local precision optics manufacturers to create a certificated apprenticeship path for aspiring precision opticians. Prior to this program, local optical shops had the choice of relocating experienced opticians, or hiring local people with no experience and giving them informal on-the-job training. The relocated opticians would come with unknown skill sets for lack of a standard certificate. And on-the-job training was often informal and haphazard for lack of planning, curriculum, trainers, and facilities. Therefore at least one Florida manufacturer is coordinating with the State to create a State-sanctioned, certificated apprenticeship program for precision opticians. Such apprenticeship programs exist in many other trades including machinist and electrician.
© 2005 Optical Society of America
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