By Jeff Bufton, Chair of the BSGA Training Committee
The employer led Trailblazer Group is currently working closely with the Institute for Apprentices, education providers and end point assessors to review the current apprenticeship standard.
At present, the Signage Technician standard is a wide-ranging Level 3 (A Level equivalent) course that aims to give young people both an overview of the industry and a broad understanding of all of the scoping, manufacturing and installation processes involved in creating signage.
Trailblazer chair Jeff Bufton commented ‘It has become clear that since its launch at the end of 2020 the pass rate hasn’t been as high as expected, which has led to a top to toe review of what is being delivered, how it is being supported by employers and being assessed.’
The current consensus within the group is that there needs to be a more foundational level 2 (GCSE Equivalent) course in place, to go alongside the level 3 standard, that will focus on the more specific tasks required for making signs.
It is hoped to have the details of knowledge, skills and behaviours of the new course fully mapped out and in place by the end of the year, subject to Government funding and approval.
If you would like to know more about the proposed changes, or would like to join the Trailblazer Group and help create the new standard, then please contact the BSGA.