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Bev’s Message
This year has produced so many
newsworthy events that it is difficult to focus on the few that can be
covered in a single newsletter. One thing stands out clearly and
that is the variety of opportunities that have resulted. The bleak
economic situation with its high interest rates and harsh credit
limitations has adversely affected trading in the optical industry as much
as any other. In these trying times finding the silver lining is not
always easy but in this newsletter I highlight some of the opportunities
that I have observed from my perspective of the
industry. First off,
South African professionals have many international opportunities at
present and the pathway to exploiting these is better defined than ever
before. The first-time success rate of our professionals in both the UK
and the OCANZ exams has improved dramatically with the availability of
quality preparation courses and appropriate study material. The
Rand’s current weakness makes these opportunities all the more
attractive. The flow of international vacancies is at a peak at
present and an article in this newsletter covers this in more
detail. We have
some really good practices for sale at present and despite the tough
economic climate we have been successful in concluding some significant
deals recently. If expansion is part of your plan now is a good time
to look around. A selection of what’s available is given elsewhere
in this newsletter or you can contact me directly for more
details.
Rationalizations in both the supply
industry and in retail have made many quality candidates available. Check
out the candidate emporium in this newsletter – you may find the skills
that will revitalize your operation. Since our last newsletter there have
been several changes at BMC. Marli Strydom and Deshnie Chetty
complement the efforts of Lauren Williams and Steph Oliver in the optical
department and Carla Smith has joined our veterinary department. Marli,
Deshnie and Carla each bring new skills to BMC and will further enhance
our ability to service your needs. I trust that you will find our
latest newsletter interesting and I take this opportunity to wish you well
over the festive season and all the very best for 2009.
International
Perspective
Australia & New
Zealand With Australia and New Zealand
topping the popularity list with South Africans wanting to emigrate, it is
very encouraging to see that optometrists are on the shortage list.
Optometrists who apply for residence in Australia will automatically get
15 additional points towards the 120-point target for the entry criteria.
The many opportunities for optometrists in Australia at present bears out
the shortage. If you are considering emigrating to Australia or New
Zealand now is the time to contact Bev. See below for details of the
OCANZ exam. Bev would like to assist you in finding employment and
in getting your emigration application submitted. For those considering New Zealand as
a new home, the Bev Meekel Consulting office in Wellington is waiting to
assist you. United Kingdom URGENT NOTICE –
WORKING HOLIDAY-MAKERS VISAS FOR THE UK It has been
rumoured for some time that the working holidaymakers visas for the UK
were about to be discontinued. We have been
advised by the British High Commission that no further applications will
be accepted for these visas after the 27th of November 2008
(next Thursday). Contact Marli or
Bev for further information 011 468 3134 As always there are many vacancies
for GOC registered optometrists in the UK. Although South Africans
do not require visas to visit the UK at present, you will need one if you
intend to work there. From time to time we still hear of South
Africans who have been deported on arrival at Heathrow. It
definitely pays to get the right advice before you leave SA.
Information about the UK exams is given below. The
Netherlands New opportunities are available in
Holland for South African registered optometrists prepared to take a
one-year employment contract (renewable). This is a significant
development in that no capital or ownership is involved.
We expect further Joint Venture
Partnership opportunities to be available during the 1st half
of 2009. Trinidad
&Tobago Many opportunities exist for South
African registered optometrists and dispensing opticians. The
vacancies are for a minimum one-year contract. Packages include
accommodation, car and medical insurance. These are great jobs and
many South Africans who have worked there have extended their
contracts. Definitely worth considering! For further information about any of
the above visit www.optivet.co.za
or contact Bev. Email bev@optivet.co.za Tel. 082 889 1152 or 011 468
3134. International Exam
Assistance
The OCANZ written exams will take
place in Johannesburg during March/April and again in September 2009.
Actual dates are expected to be announced shortly. The practical
exams will be conducted at the University of New South Wales in Sydney in
July and November. The actual dates are still to be announced.
The next UK examination will take
place in London from 12 to 16 January 2009 and again during June 2009.
Text books for the UK syllabus and
study assistance material for both the UK and OCANZ exams is available
from Bev Meekel Consulting. Please contact Bev if you would like
to be kept updated about the UK or OCANZ exams. During April 2008 BMC held a
Preparation Seminar for optometrists interested in taking the UK and OCANZ
exams. The seminar was presented by three examiners from the British
College of Optometry. The intense two-day program provided valuable
information to participants some of who have already taken and passed the
exams.
Congresses &
Exhibitions
Bev Meekel Consulting exhibited at
the Vision 2008 Congress held at Emperor’s Palace during July where the
beautiful stand proved to be a real attraction. Once again we were pleased to be
able to spend some quality time with our customers.
Annual
Salary Survey
The response to the first annual
salary survey for retail eye care was most encouraging. Once the
analysis of the data was completed some interesting facts emerged:
ü
The industry is dominated by the female
gender. ü
With the exception of Practice Assistants more
experience equals higher earnings. ü
The responses indicated that the remuneration offered
to newly qualified optometrists is highest for graduates accepting jobs in
country areas especially males. ü
Namibian opportunities for optometrists offer higher
than average remuneration. Bev Meekel Consulting congratulates
René Vrey on winning the stunning Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS in the lucky draw
competition. The valuable and useful prize was presented to her in
October. This interesting survey will be
repeated during 2009 and further great prizes will be offered to encourage
participation. The full results of the 2008 survey
are available on our website www.optivet.co.za
Dispensing
Opticians
The first part-time dispensing
course is approaching finality with approximately ten final year students
graduating in April 2009 from the Cape Town course. Just over twenty
Gauteng based part-time students will complete their final year in 2009.
It is envisaged that this popular
three year, part-time course will be offered in Johannesburg
possibly commencing in July 2009. No actual starting date has been
released yet. Please register your interest with Marli Strydom at
Bev Meekel Consulting who will keep you advised as information becomes
available For further information about the
part-time optical dispensing course, please contact Marli by email at marli@optivet.co.za or
telephonically at 011 468 3134. What’s
Cooking at BMC
Always able to pull some novel event
out of her hat, Bev surprised her consultants at the recent BMC
weekend workshop when she “cooked” up a special experience for their hard
earned lunch break. The participants were lured into the pristine
restaurant kitchen where Chef Tristan “dished” out the tasks and got the
whole crew busy preparing their own meal. The final delicious results were
eagerly consumed.
Practices for
Sale
A large variety of practices are for
sale throughout South Africa. From high-end / high value
exclusive practices in major city malls to practices in country towns and
rural areas. Click here to view practices for
sale on www.optivet.co.za Telephone Bev on 011 468 3134 to
discuss your requirements in confidence. A good number of introductions of
practice buyers to sellers in 2008 have resulted in successful
sales!
Locum
Optometrists
This locally and internationally
experienced optometrist is available for locum work from April to June
2009. Contact Steph at 011 468 3134 for more
information. BMC has a comprehensive register of
optometrists available to do locum work throughout Southern Africa.
Contact us to select & book your locum.
Candidate
Emporium
Listed below are descriptions of a
small selection of the exceptional candidates that we have in our database
at present. Should you be interested, contact our consultants who
can arrange for you to interview the candidate most suited to your
requirements.
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Experienced
Optometrist – Pretoria
