Signee Industry
Signee Industry is an industry recognised training programme that focusses on the beginner’s guide to sign making industry standards in the core six pillars of sign making.
industry
recognised training
The Signee Industry training programme is directed at those already employed within the sign making industry at an entry level role, those looking to change direction with their career, or school leavers interested in finding out what a career in the sign industry would be like.
The Signee Industry training programme is designed to provide a well informed insight into a what a career in the New Zealand sign industry is all about. It provides fundamental knowledge and skills in the ‘six’ pillars’ of sign making and health and safety.
The Signee Industry programme is done through practical work experience in a full service sign business and online learning.
A successful completion of this industry recognised training programme demonstrates to employers in the sign making industry, that you already have some essential skills and knowledge. This means that you can be productive in many tasks from day one of employment and ready to learn more through, working in the industry.
For those thinking about sign making as a trade will have a well informed insight into what a trade in the sign industry might be like, before committing themselves to an apprenticeship.

six pillars
six pillars
learning outcomes
The Signee Industry programme is designed to provide a well informed insight into a what a career in the New Zealand sign industry is all about.
It provides introductory knowledge and skills in sign making industry standards through the ‘six’ pillars’ of sign making and health and safety.

Trainee will demonstrate exploration of design elements and principles, typography, basic colour theory, sign making software and design processes.
Signees’ will gain an understanding of effective visual communication of a message.

Trainee will begin to develop a working knowledge of printing techniques and common tools and machinery used in a sign shop, ie: printers, cutters, laminators and will also gain an understanding of three dimensional signage and its uses including fabricated letters, light boxes and pylon sign fabrication.

Trainee will develop knowledge in the selection and application of vinyl to a variety of surfaces. Identify materials used as substrates for general basic signage.
Develop skills in cutting, weeding, transfer techniques, preparing surfaces for vinyl and application of basic vinyl signage.

Trainee will begin to develop an understanding of signage installation, be able to describe access equipment use and types and have an awareness of the existence of Bylaws

Trainee will be able to describe basic illuminated signage technology such as LED, fluorescent and neon uses in the sign industry. Signees will be able to describe channel letter illumination types and will develop an understanding of lightbox illumination.

Trainee will gain awareness of basic processes, paint techniques, paint types, gilding, handling and cleaning up paints that are used in traditional sign making. Signees will explore hand lettering techniques and begin to develop an awareness of when to choose traditional methods over modern cut and print methods..

The programme consists of three blended learning components
one
work experience
Signee Industry – work experience
All people doing the Signee Industry programme will initially undertake one full week followed by one day a week for 10 weeks or more (flexibility to go longer than 10 weeks). The work experience is done in a full service sign shop.
We work with industry to find a placement in a full service sign shop.
We provide the trainer/employer with a trainer guide before the full week work experience is undertaken. The trainer uses this for the duration of the work experience. (see photo below)
It’s a guide for the trainers to know what they need to show/teach using their expert knowledge on how things are done!
Trainees will initially do one full week work experience (to get a taster of what to expect … try before you buy!).
If the trainee decides this is for them: they will register, we sign them up and then send them an invoice for the cost of the programme.
Once payment is received, we send the trainee a workbook via courier and an online learning login via email (see photo below).
The rest of the programme requires at least 10 full days work experience in a full service sign shop (one day a week, over 10 or more weeks).
TWO
online learning
Signee Industry – online learning
Trainee completes all online courses.
The courses have videos, written content, examples and images.
Most lessons have a short quiz based on the content of the lesson.
After each course is completed, the trainee has the ability to download or print the badge awarded for that course.
THREE
external training
Signee Industry – external course
Trainee registers and passes the First Aid course with Red Cross at a time suitable with the employer and themselves. This must be achieved before the end of the programme.

Responsibilities
Signee will supply
+ Trainer guide for trainer
+ Signee Industry workbook
+ Unit standard assessments
+ Industry assessments
+ Certificates
Trainee will
+ Takes responsibility for their learning
+ Reliably attend work experience
+ Read training material
+ Take notes in workbook during work experience
+ Take photos for assessments
+ Work to the best of their ability
+ Complete online courses and first aid course
Sign business/employer
+ Training and expert knowledge
+ Workplace learning opportunities
+ Equipment, time and tools
+ Support and mentoring of trainee to complete course

Assessment information

Above: Digital badges awarded for online courses
Work experience assessment
Assessments are paper based for work experience and done by the New Zealand Sign and Display Association; NZQA/units and industry standards assessed by the Communications and Training Officer and Industry and a Master Sign Maker.
The trainees have specific pages for taking notes in their workbooks. They are also prompted in the workbooks to take as many photos as possible for elements of assessment.
At times, this may also involve verifying knowledge and skills with the trainer/employer.
Online assessment
There are six online learning course/pillars and upon completion of each one, the trainee receives a digital badge for that course/pillar.
The trainee must complete each module to be able to move onto the next module.
All modules need to be completed.
Sign making unit standards
For those wanting to have the H&S unit standard counted towards a future apprenticeship or recorded on their record of learning through NZQA.
- 27573 Demonstrate knowledge of safe working practices in a sign making workplace, level 3, credits 5
First aid = 4 credits
Red Cross comprehensive first aid
Assessment will be done and recorded on NZQA record of learning by the first aid provider, but you’ll need to let them know that you want the credits recorded.
- 6402 Provide basic life support, Level 1, credit 1
- 6401 Provide first aid, Level 2, credits 1
- 6400 Manage first aid in an emergency situation, Level 3, credit 2