The Opticians Course at Casa Pia de Lisboa is one of the few with nearly 100% employability levels in Portugal. In an interview with OpticaPro learn what were the foundations of this successful training told by the three “musketeers” of teaching opticians: Manuela Mingote, Rui Gomes and João Carvalho.
OpticaPro: How was the Opticians Course at Casa Pia born?
Manuela Mingote: The Opticians Course started at Nuno Álvares Pereira College in the 1990/91 school year on the initiative of the Professional Union of Portuguese Opticians and Optometrists (UPOOP), through a partnership established between this entity and Casa Pia de Lisboa. Throughout these 28 years, we have been proud to have trained many young people suitable for the optical sector. The objective of the course is to equip our future professionals with interpersonal skills to meet the increasing challenges of the job market. Casa Pia de Lisboa has always been characterized by training excellence. Currently, within technical training, alongside me, teachers Rui Gomes and João Carvalho teach the discipline of Preparation, Assembly and Repairs in Optics.
OP: What makes you different from INETE?
Rui Gomes: I graduated from INETE from 1994 to 2001 and I can say that here we are doing excellent training. Our practical component is much superior. We have workshops that are well equipped in terms of equipment and teachers. Many highly regarded opticians prefer our students for their practice when they finish the course, in relation to INETE. They leave here very well prepared to work either in optics, or in lens factories, or if they want, through higher education, go on to an Optometry course.
OP: Is the requirement level too high for your students?
João Carvalho: I can say that they are very well trained. I am a very demanding teacher, fair and proud. It is not an accident that they are much sought after when they finish the course.
See the full interview in the May edition of OpticaPro.
