those that sit between production and commercial output, where individuals understand both how something is made and how it is sold. This reflects the broader evolution of the industry into a more technology-driven environment.” McCombe’s passion for educating the next generation was made all the more clear by his recent work with trade association, Print Scotland, highlighting funding disparities between English and Scottish print apprentices. According to the association, a Print Industry Occupations apprenticeship in Scotland typically attracts £3,200 in training contribution for ages 16 to 19, while in England, comparable apprenticeships attract closer to £10,000. Since Print Scotland issued its warning, the Scottish Government has officially launched a full review of Modern Apprenticeship contribution rates. McCombe, who is vice president of Print Scotland, recently spoke about the issue on The Print Monthly Podcast, questioning “why in Scotland is there such a great disparity?” Rounding up his thoughts, McCombe asserts: “If the industry is serious about long-term sustainability, it must address the disconnect between education, funding, and real-world skills demand. There is a significant opportunity to reposition print and signage as a modern, technology-led sector that offers stable and rewarding careers. Strengthening partnerships with schools and local communities will be key to achieving this, particularly by encouraging more site visits and early exposure to the industry. Done correctly, we can build a pipeline of talent that supports both growth and innovation across the sector.” New Opportunities While for many, the focus in terms of training and entry is on supporting the younger generation, it is also important to note that professionals can enter signage at any point in their career. One advocate of this is national signage network, FASTSIGNS UK, which currently operates from 23 franchised UK locations. As John Davies, managing director at FASTSIGNS UK, asserts: “Across the network, we welcome people from all walks of life including former accountants and gardeners. We know TRAINING AND ENTRY POINTS | JONATHAN PERT 34 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 265 - June | July According to BoldData, roughly 66% of the UK signage industry employs between one and four people Factoid The biggest asset any company can have is not the equipment – it’s boots on the ground ▲Make It Happen offers courses designed to educate the next generation in signage it’s possible to make a real success out of it, no matter what your background. As long as you have tenacity, people skills, and a real drive to do great things, you’ll be on your way.” Those joining the franchise gain the benefits of the wider international FASTSIGNS network, which includes over 750 locations with a significant presence in the US. Davies describes the benefits of this, declaring: “We also benefit from the insights shared by the US team, whose market is about five years ahead of the UK in terms of products, services, and new technology, giving us and our franchisees a really healthy, competitive advantage.” The network provides opportunities to the younger generation as well. One its recent success stories is Alex Horseman and Caitlin Mosler, the new owners of FASTSIGNS Bristol and the organisation’s youngest ever network entrepreneurs. Both were designers and artists who had never run a business before but were given an opportunity by FASTSIGNS UK to gain the skills needed to run their new signage business. Davies explains: “Alongside the training offered by the business, Caitlin and Alex credit their success so far to the FASTSIGNS network; a network of peers willing and able to share learnings, success stories, and advice, whenever they need it.” Another organisation supporting professionals at all stages of their career is Make it Happen Signage Consultancy, which supports the sign and print industry through a combination of professional training, product sales, and strategic business advice. As its founder and chief executive officer, Sam Armstrong, says: “Our role is to bridge the gap between where companies are and where they want to be, whether that’s scaling production, refining workflows, or building stronger teams. For those entering the industry, we provide a clear, real-world view of how modern signage businesses operate and what skills are genuinely valuable.” Armstrong believes that businesses need to shift from expecting ‘readymade’ employees to actively developing
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