Specsavers Australia & New Zealand has opened up the doors of its Support Office to provide a unique career development experience to a university graduate, a store team member and an existing member of the Support Office team.

As part of an all-markets initiative, Specsavers Aus/NZ has launched the Future Talent Program. The program offers each participant a bespoke opportunity to fast-track the development of their business and commercial acumen by rotating them through a variety of roles and projects in the Product, Retail and Marketing teams at Specsavers’ Port Melbourne-based Support Office. Alongside this, the program includes gaining valuable experience working in Specsavers stores and a tailored learning and development plan. Upon conclusion of the program, the participants will have the opportunity to move into a permanent position in one of the Support Office departments in which they’ve worked.

Following a competitive application process, three successful candidates were selected to join the program from more than 150 applicants:

  • Lachlan Williams – Lachlan was the first candidate to join the Future Talent Program early in 2019, having recently completed the final months of his Business Studies degree with Swinburne University. Lachlan has previously worked at Bosch, where he completed a student placement in the company’s Marketing and Sales departments.
  • Lauren Jannusch – Lauren worked as an optical dispenser at Specsavers Indooroopilly in Queensland. She recently completed her Bachelor of Communications, majoring in PR, and has completed various Marketing and PR-related internships during her studies.
  • Katie Philp – Katie most recently held the role of Dispensing Advancement Manager at the Specsavers Support Office, and played a key role in the successful launch and implementation of the Specsavers Dispensing Conference. Katie has previously worked in Specsavers Aus/NZ’s Graduate Recruitment and Professional Development teams, and also holds a Bachelor of Business.

The Future Talent Program officially kicked off in early February, with Lachlan, Lauren and Katie visiting Specsavers’ Support Office to start their comprehensive induction. Over the course of their induction, they will learn about the Support Office and its functions, and the retail, regional and global elements of Specsavers’ business operations.

Over the coming 18 months, the program participants will receive on-the-job training, mentoring and coaching, and experience working on business projects as they each undertake three six-month placements in Specsavers Aus/NZ’s Product, Retail and Marketing functions.

Specsavers Aus/NZ Senior HR Business Partner Luke Caputo said, “As a market leader, innovation and strategic thinking have been paramount in driving our business forward. The Future Talent Program is an exciting new opportunity for those early in their career to work within a successful global retail business in ‘live’ roles.

“Our candidates, who have each demonstrated aptitude in the areas of business, marketing or commerce, will gain the broadest possible experience while working on real, leading business projects with clear objectives and outcomes. They will also be exposed to specialist areas within our business, and grow their professional networks as a result.”

Lachlan, Lauren and Katie join a global cohort of Future Talent Program candidates that includes six candidates selected across Specsavers UK and Northern Europe.