Michael Doherty of the Illawarra Institute TAFE has organised a Big Day Out for tradies.
The Big Day Out is a training day for local tradies but an invitation has been extended nationally to all sign tradies.
Sponsored by Roland DG and many other suppliers to industry, the day out represents an opportunity for anybody in our industry to learn from the suppliers, to brush up on knowledge and also to get involved with the Illawarra Institute TAFE in order to gain a formal qualification, if they haven’t already qualified.
As Michael explained to Sign & Display Online and Wide Format Online magazines, the individual companies within the industry are employing young people and providing basic training but this falls down when the trainee is asked to do something that he hasn’t yet experienced. This is where the Illawarra Institute TAFE can help. The Illawarra Institute TAFE training also leads to a formal qualification which obviously helps the trainee and the employer. On offer, for minimal cost, is on site training and Recognition Prior Learning ( RPL ) to help trade persons and employees gain their qualification in the sign industry trade with a Cert III in Signage - Course Number 18774 for those who have been working in the sign trade for more than 4 years. It should be added that trainers are happy to travel state wide and also interstate to help trainees across the country to gain a formal qualifications. New Zealand could also be considered if there was enough interest.
Michael explained that the trainers at the Illawara TAFE are passionate about their training role and include himself, Craig Sparks and Simon Thomas, all of whom run their own sign businesses. To keep costs down, especially when interstate travel is concerned, group sessions at the different centres can be organised with costs split between the various regional employers.
The Big Day Out will be at the Illawarra Institute and will not only provide the supplier training as outlined above but it will also afford the opportunity for the Illawarra Institute TAFE to show off its modern facilities.
It is hoped that the Big Day Out will become an annual event.
Click here for directions to the Illawarra Institute TAFE.
Further information can be had be contacting Jeremy Knight ( Head Teacher ) Painting and Decorating /Sign Industry Training
Ph: (02) 42290648 – Fax: (02) 42290564 or Michael Doherty - Teacher Mobile: 0448 567 582
