Holding onto your dreams

IF there is ever a story of holding onto your dreams, Anton Rajasooriya is an incredible example of never giving up.

As an 18-year-old, Anton became interested in audiology after the possibility of a career in the sector grabbed his attention at a careers fair. He went on to study at university in 2014. Unfortunately, his studies were cut short due to personal reasons.

Anton changed track and went to work in the car rental sector. But the dream of an audiology career never left him. Fast forward to 2022, and Anton has embarked on his dream career – a huge achievement in itself – as part of Specsavers’ wider partnership with The Prince’s Trust.

He has undertaken an 18-month training apprenticeship on the way to becoming a trainee hearing aid dispenser (HAD), through in practice and college-based study. He will become a fully qualified clinician who assesses hearing and provides aftercare for hearing aids.

Anton, who is based at Specsavers Hemel Hempstead store, picks up the story. ‘I’ve had an interest in audiology since I was about 18, and there was this careers fair at my sixth form and audiology stood out to me. I did further research and I managed to start university and study audiology,’ he says.

‘Due to personal reasons, I wasn’t able to complete it. So, I went into employment, and I was in the car rental sector for several years. But I always felt like there was always a way to get back into audiology and do what I really wanted to do.’

Looking afresh at his options, his search to fulfil his dream led him to Specsavers – which offers a range of careers in hearing and eye care. For Anton, being able to learn while working was an attractive option.

‘Out of all the companies that I researched, Specsavers was one that I really wanted to join. I was very keen on the way they work. I felt like if I didn’t take this opportunity now, I might not take it further down my life. I was very focused on taking the audiology path.’

Geeta Patel, audiology director at Specsavers Hemel Hempstead, says the programme is a great way to ‘grow your own’ when it comes to developing colleagues, as well as giving back to the community – something that is central to Specsavers’ values.

‘The Prince’s Trust is a great organisation, and they do amazing things. Working with them to give opportunities to people, to train somebody and have them grow with us, is a great thing. It is great to have Anton as part of the team and we are looking forward to supporting his growth and development.’