33 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 265 - June | July 2026 it is not widely seen as a mainstream career option, which continues to limit the flow of new entrants.” Edwards also points out that the industry is facing a widening skills gap, compounded by an ageing workforce, which is continuing to raise concerns regarding the transfer of specialist skills and knowledge bases that are not easily replaced. This, in her opinion, “creates a real pressure point for the long-term capability of our sector.” Another figure in UK signage that highlights the skills gap issue is Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka The Online Print Coach – founder of Print Mastermind, an online training platform and business community for owners in the print and associated industries. However, McDermott posits that the biggest challenge “is not a lack of opportunity; it is a lack of awareness.” He continues: “Most people simply do not know the signage industry exists as a career path, let alone how varied and exciting it can be. On top of that, businesses are still trying to recruit based on old models, waiting for experienced people to appear instead of building their own talent.” it is about problem-solving, creativity, and adding value to clients.” Sinclair McDermott has seen more interest from young professionals in the creative and digital side of the industry, whether that be design, branding, or social media. Roles that combine creativity with technology are particularly appealing in his opinion, especially when they involve things like wide-format applications or experiential graphics. He concludes: “There is still a huge opportunity in production and installation roles for those willing to learn, as these are the areas where demand is high but talent is short. The key is showing people that these roles are not just jobs, they are skills that can build long-term careers.” Finding Advocates Richard McCombe, managing director of Graphic Warehouse, is another strong advocate of education, entry points, and opportunities for the next generation in signage. His trade-focused wideformat print company hires a variety of younger people in roles across the business, working in tandem with local schools for outreach and recruitment and engaging with Scottish government youth programmes. Talking about the benefits of the industry for those starting their career, McCombe says: “For newcomers, this is an industry that rewards people who are willing to learn across disciplines rather than specialise too early. “It is also an environment where attitude and reliability often matter more than prior experience, as many of the technical skills can be taught.” Like Sinclair McDermott, McCombe has found that design-led roles tend to attract the most interest initially, as they are more visible and familiar to younger people. However, he sees increased engagement in hybrid roles that combine production, software, and machine operation, particularly with the rise automation and digital workflows. As he says: “The most valuable roles today are There is still a huge opportunity in production and installation roles for those willing to learn, as these are the areas where demand is high, but talent is short TRAINING AND ENTRY POINTS | JONATHAN PERT Print Scotland recently calculated that Print Technician apprenticeships in England attract around £7,000 more funding per apprentice than the equivalent in Scotland £7000 ▲The Print Show has partnered with The Online Print Coach to launch a new feature area at this year’s exhibition, allowing professionals to meet and connect Alongside this, Sinclair McDermott believes that a perception issue is also at play, with younger generations not immediately seeing signage as creative or tech-driven, despite the truth being the opposite. As he puts it: “The companies that win here are the ones telling a better story about what they do and why it matters.” Through Print Mastermind, Sinclair McDermott helps print and signage businesses grow through better marketing, smarter positioning, and stronger commercial thinking. “A big part of what we do is education,” he explains, adding: “This is not just for business owners, but for teams coming into the industry who need to understand how everything fits together. The industry is evolving fast, and it is no longer just about production;
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