The NZ Sign and Display Association's new training initiative Signee – Education to Employment, will begin with a pilot program in Christchurch in April 2019, before a second intake is rolled out in July to include Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The innovative scheme aims to attract high school students into the signage industry. Upon passing Signee pre-vocational training, the Signee will be ready for applying for work at entry level into the sign making industry or entering into an apprenticeship, according to the NZSDA.
“Members that are interested in supporting us with their time, premises, products or financially, please get in touch with us today, we really would appreciate your support,” says Paul Walters, president NZSDA. “Carol King, our Training & Communications Officer, is very passionate about our visions and goals for the industry and has been developing some great documents, profiles and resources for our Signee program.”
Registrations will open in March 2019.
SIGNEE start dates 2019
Intake one, April 2019 – Pilot Programme for Christchurch only:
- 1. Monday, 15 or 22 April, 2019 – One week work experience Start at beginning of intake (either week of school holiday = 5 days)
- 2. Monday, 29 April – Signee’s start online and external training
- • Online learning modules • H&S heights and tools • First Aid • Driver's licence
- 3. Friday, July 05 – End date for online and external training
Signee must be completed before or on end date of Friday, 05 July, 2019
- 4. Sat and Sun, July 13 &14 or July 20 & 21 – Ideal dates for On-site Assessment Workshops
Intake two, July 2019 – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
- 1. Monday, 08 or 15 July, 2019 – One week work experience Start at beginning of intake (either week of school holiday = 5 days)
- 2. Monday, 22 July – Signee’s start online and external training
- • Online learning modules • H&S heights and tools • First Aid • Driver's licence
- 3. Friday, September 27 – End date for online and external training Signee must be completed before or on end date of Friday, 05 July, 2019
- 4. Sat and Sun, October 5 & 6 or October 12 & 13 – Ideal dates for On-site Assessment
Workshops
Signee programme structure, including Gateway programme (11 weeks total)
- • Candidates register on line – must have driver’s licence, or working towards one
- • Signee completes ‘one week’ work experience (support and guidelines will be provided)
- • Signee completes ‘one day’ a week work experience for 10 weeks (support and guidelines will be provided)
- • Signee completes online self-directed learning over 10 week period – foundations in the 6 pillars: Traditional, Design, Application, Fabrication, Illumination and Installation
- • Signee completes external training during the 10 week period - H&S training in working with heights & tools and essential first aid
- • Final assessment – Signees attend weekend assessment workshop and are individually assessed as to whether they pass the programme. Guidance, brief and assessment will be supplied.
- • Upon passing Signee pre-vocational training – Signee will be ready for applying for work at entry level into the sign making industry or entering into an apprenticeship.
Overview of work experience content
The goal is for the Signee to be exposed to as many facets of the sign industry during the one week work experience. This will help them to make an informed decision as to whether they wish to continue with the Signee training programme:
- • General workplace H&S practices
- • Expectations of employers – soft skills (what is a good employee)
- • What's in the life of a sign maker on a daily basis
- • What is the process when receiving a job from a client through to completion
- • Exposed to tools, materials, equipment
- • Employer assigns tasks for Signee, if they feel confident in the Signee's ability
What we need:
Master Sign Makers or NZSDA Members willing to be involved in any or all of the following:
One week work experience placements – in a full service sign business
- • Take on Signees for initial one week work experience?
- • How many would they be willing to take on at once (1-2 Signees at a time, etc)
- • Be available as a ‘go to person’, if Signees need support during the programme
One day a week work experience for 10 weeks – in a full service sign business
- • The ‘ideal’ would be for the employer/s to continue with the Signee/s that undertook the initial ‘one week’ work experience with them.
On-site assessment workshops – in a full service sign business
- • Host/provide sign making premises, or be involved in assessment workshops
- • Financial costs for providing premises, time and resources will be reimbursed for workshops.
* Please contact Carol if you are interested to be involved with work experience or hosting or helping with workshop/s.
Carol King NZSDA : 021 029 767 82 or carol@nzsda.org.nz
