Page 76 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2021
P. 76
The Institute of Skill Development &
Training (ISDT) was founded in 2006 to provide STUDY RESULTS IN A NUTSHELL:
professional education, skill development and This initiative has resulted in training
training. The Institute has upskilled, more than (upskilling/ refining their existing skills) of
12,000 opticians across India. The impact is more than 12000 opticians across India.
huge as it has created a strong referral channel
for further intervention (where vision cannot The impact is huge as it has created
be improved by spectacles only). This is an a strong referral channel for further
intervention (where vision cannot be
innovative model of providing affordable eye improved by spectacles only).
care by using existing resources and creating
well trained new resources as older ones retire. This is an innovative model of providing
affordable and accessible eye care by
The few skill courses, designed for learners using existing resources and creating
of all educational levels, include online due well trained new resources as older ones
to pandemic COVID-19, Flexible and physical retire over a time. So, the new breed
presence learning mode. For this study the of opticians will be academically well
Institute has sampled 6,500 opticians out of trained and thus conflict between old
12,000 under NSDC certification course i.e. system (opticians providing mechanical
Certified Dispensing Optician (97% retailers, eye testing) and who are trained eye care
3% wholesalers). professionals will be reduced.
There is also an Optical Counter Management Helps curbing degradation of roles.
course for beginners. A short course on Restart: Bring optician as a mainstream basic eye
Managing business during COVID-19 was very care provider in formal system.
helpful. It included safety and hygiene protocols, Recognises the contribution of opticians
and guidance to improve business with the help in sustaining the huge eye care system
of digital marketing. with huge skilled manpower deficit.
Many optical associations value the courses Creates a pathway for systematic
and have collaborated with ISDT to get their induction of fresh eye care professionals
members certified. It is hoped that many more as optician retire or handover their
such institutes come up soon to meet the business to next generation. Thus over
shortfall of trained eye care workers and induct a few years all fresh opticians will be
them into the formal system. academically well trained.
This creates balance in system and
importantly people of our country get
easy access to basic eye care and further
qualified referrals to next level.
The text for the above article has been
excerpted from a report compiled by
senior optometrists Yogesh Kothari – head,
College of Optometry, Nasik, and Yogita
Rajgandhi, Consulting Optometrist.
The content including the analysis and
graphs have been provided by the authors
and not by The Indian Optician – and is
ISDT AT GUJARAT OPTICAL EXHIBITION not necessarily endorsed by the magazine.
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