Talented Zeus Woodward and Jake Matthews are flying the flag for the life-changing opportunities being offered by apprenticeship schemes in Cornwall.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February), 21-year-old Zeus and 33-year-old Jake are urging others to join a scheme and kickstart their career, with their own experience having put them on the road to a rewarding future.
Jake has shown that people are never too old to join an apprenticeship scheme, having begun his aged 28 at the locally owned and run Specsavers Falmouth store.
He quickly completed his Spectacle Maker Apprenticeship Level 3 qualification with a Distinction while still working at the store, and he is now aiming to become a Lab Technician Manager.
Jake says: ‘The apprenticeship programme with Specsavers has been a great way to develop new skills within a completely new environment.
‘At a younger age, the stigma with apprenticeships was that they were only for young adults who have just left school. However, starting an apprenticeship at the age of 28, I believe that apprenticeship programmes are a great way to get a foot in the door for starting a career path at any age.
‘During my apprenticeship, my passion and drive for my career grew and grew as I became proud to develop a very specific craft. Years later, I still enjoy my job because I get to bring my own vast experience and knowledge to continue my craft and create spectacles.
‘I believe that apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for anyone at any age who wants to start a specific career in which they can learn new skills, life experiences and feel a sense of pride for their craft, the way I have these past five years.’
Zeus began at Specsavers 16 months ago, doing a Level 3 Lab Technician course as a spectacle-maker. He will complete his course this April, and he hopes to progress to the certificate 4 course for the store’s spectacles-making laboratory.
He says: ‘I really enjoy everything about the lab and have always loved to learn new things, especially when it’s so interesting as eye care. The apprenticeship has really helped me to pick everything up really quickly, and then being able to do it as a job is perfect.’
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, a wide range of Cornwall organisations are announcing opportunities for young people.
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.
Daniel Stimpson, a Director at Specsavers Falmouth, says: ‘As a business that is owned by the directors who work here, it’s very important to us to develop our team locally and offer career progression to those who aspire to it.
‘Jake and Zeus have an infectious enthusiasm enhances that really benefits our team, and they have progressed tremendously since joining us, growing in knowledge and confidence with each month.
‘They are great examples of what an apprenticeship can do for people of any age. Along with Aaron Leyshon, the lab manager, the three of them make up our amazing lab team.’
Specsavers Falmouth is open seven days a week. For further information contact 01326 212733.
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