The state of optician education is sad, I interview 10 and hire 1 "optician"

Im wondering if anyone has tried to train a COT to become an optician, I don't want to hear stories about how they won't leave or make too much money.

Does anyone have any experience cross training the 2? I'm hoping with a COT certification I can create opticians that have an understanding of something more then bend behind the ear to tighten.