In a time of growing demand for skilled professionals across the healthcare and vision care industries, apprenticeship programs have emerged as vital pathways to meaningful, upwardly mobile careers. Among these, the California State Society for Opticians (CSSO) Apprenticeship Program—supported by the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District—stands out for its accessibility, effectiveness, and life-changing outcomes. One of the program’s recent success stories is that of Vidhya Krishnan, a former student who transformed her uncertainty about entering the workforce into a leadership role as a team lead optician at Warby Parker. 

Initially recommended to CSSO by Mountain View Adult School, Vidhya entered the program with little knowledge of opticianry and with limited professional experience. Through CSSO’s online learning modules, and after receiving assistance with hands-on job training at Warby Parker, Vidhya quickly gained confidence and skill. 

“The CSSO online modules provided me with a rewarding learning experience,” Vidhya shared. “Both learning opportunities offered me the support I needed to pass the ABO [a certification that assists with getting a job and earning a higher wage] exam in just under five months. This apprenticeship experience introduced me to an optician career I didn’t know was possible.” Since Vidhya’s completion of the program, she has been promoted to an optical supervisor position and continues to love the work. 

Vidhya’s journey is representative of the many students who experience the impact of CSSO’s unique apprenticeship model, which pairs job training with classroom instruction. Hector Curioso, a long-time employee at Walmart, was inspired to join the same program after witnessing another student’s experience. With support from CSSO, he went from stocking merchandise on the sales floor to passing his ABO exam and transitioning into Walmart’s Vision Center, launching a new chapter in his professional life. 

As local, state, and federal government agencies consider elevating registered apprenticeship programs as a strategy for addressing national workforce shortages—particularly in healthcare—programs like CSSO are providing a proven model for success. Apprenticeships are key to expanding equitable access to well-paying careers, and local institutions like the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District are playing a critical role in advancing that goal. 

"At CSSO, our mission is to create accessible, high-quality educational resources and tools for opticians and optometric assistants that not only prepare individuals for certification but also empower them to thrive in a growing and evolving field," shared Ruby Garcia, executive director of CSSO. "We are proud to partner with employers and educational institutions like the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District to find and support apprentices with the training and mentorship they need to succeed as workers in this field. Vidhya’s journey—and the success of so many others—is a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in people and believe in their potential." 

To increase awareness and access to apprenticeship opportunities like CSSO, the Tri-Valley Career Center will host its Spring Job and Apprenticeship Career Fair Thursday, May 8, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will connect job seekers with local employers, apprenticeship programs, and training providers committed to building a stronger, more inclusive regional workforce. Individuals interested in the fair can learn more at https://tinyurl.com/SpringCareerFair2025.

For more information about the CSSO Apprenticeship Program, visit https://cssoo.co or contact Ruby Garcia at california.society.opticians@gmail.com.

About Chabot-Las Positas Community College District 
CLPCCD serves the San Francisco East Bay Area, particularly southern Alameda County, through its two colleges: Chabot College in Hayward and Las Positas College in Livermore. CLPCCD is governed by a seven-member board of trustees, which is responsible for all policy decisions. Board members are elected from trustee areas by the registered voters of nine communities: Castro Valley, Dublin, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, and Union City.