Presidents Post | A clear path to a healthy employment future.

Over the last couple of months myself and a keen group of fellow signwriters along with representatives from Competenz and our industries Workforce Development Council (WDC) Hanga-Aro-Rau, have been involved in the review of the current apprenticeship Training Outcomes, Unit Standards and Qualifications. This review is part of the new Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and after being a little involved with the old system, it looks to me to be a breath of positive fresh air for our industry certification program.

The WDC’s are giving us the tradesmen and employers a clearer channel of input into what and how our apprentices are trained as well as giving me personally, a better understanding of the nuances of the NZQA system.

The task of our particular qualification advisory group has been going over the current qualifications and learning outcomes to make sure they are current and appropriate for our up and coming trades people today and into the future. So far a number of positive changes have been made, including an increased opportunity for signage installation training and qualifications, an ever increasing and changing part of most sign shops day to day workload as well as working on the terminology and context of some of the unit assessment language and descriptions. This review is ongoing and the results and changes will be compiled and then applied into the final qualification.

Overall the future of our industries training programmes are looking stronger and stronger which for me personally, and I am sure you all will agree, is a very welcome and positive direction to be heading in for the future of our industry.

The Signee, Pre-Vocational course, developed by the NZ Sign & Display Board and Master Sign Makers, follows on to the New Zealand Certificate In Sign Making, establishing clear links from schools and other industries to our industry, leading to Apprenticeships and then onto gaining a Master Sign Maker Accreditation. Together these steps show a clear path to better training and certification for our industry which in turn will lead to better and broader skilled trades people and hopefully become the much-needed remedy to our industries skilled employee shortage.

Giving our new and upcoming trades people a direction to strive for in their careers is not only promoting career satisfaction and a sense of achievement but helping them to develop a love for what they do which helps them stay in this great creative trade for hopefully a long career.

Now we need you guys to do your part. If you have ever considered putting on an apprentice or helping your current employees improve their skills now is the time. Contact us to find out more about the Signee Training and/or contacts for the Apprenticeship system. I would also ask for all sign makers to help promote our great industry to the masses, contact your local school and ask about work experience programs, show off the cool stuff you do day to day on social media and help get sign making out there.