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Sign writers are skilled professionals who design, create and build signs across a variety of surfaces including plastic, glass, wood and brick. The aim of any good sign writer is to create signs that command the attention of people passing by. Sign writing apprenticeships are essential to kick start a professional career in the sign writing industry. Typically, apprentices obtain a Certificate III in Offsite-Construction, which is a nationally recognised certificate.

The course requires on and off-the-job training. There are core competencies and electives.

There are no prerequisites to enrol in sign writing apprenticeships. The course has been structured into groups of units. Group 1 includes fourteen core competencies that need to be completed. The second group, Group 2 is the electives. Five units of electives are required. Group 3 is other electives. A total of twenty-one units are needed to complete the TAFE course. Every apprentice is supposed to attend a minimum of thirty days of TAFE training per year. The apprenticeship is still directed at working in the industry, so the classroom part is flexible and most of the course is project based.

Students in sign writing apprenticeships gain the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to perform their trade in a safe, quality way. Skills students obtain include creating new graphics, repairing and restoring older signs, using computer-aided designs, color matching, calculations and measurements. All these skills are needed for individuals in the sign writing industry.

As mentioned above, sign writers require both classroom and technical skills. The minimum requirement at TAFE facilities to complete core competencies is thirty days per year; however, students may perform their competencies early and gain their certification by acceleration. Those who seek sign writing apprenticeships and have previous experience in the industry can have individual assessments to evaluate his or her learning needs. Students who have completed competencies in the past may receive credit for competencies previously taken. In both situations, the apprenticeship would be faster because the apprentice will need less training and classroom time. Classroom time may be completed in blocks of three for students who have to travel long distances to reach the TAFE centre.

Sign writing apprenticeships have incentives available for students. Most apprentices do have to pay a materials fee. There are exemptions. Apprentices who would be exempt from the materials fee are Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals.

Sign writers are required to complete on-the-job training and twenty-one units of core competencies. There are accelerated programs available for those with prior experience and those who would like to finish the apprenticeship quickly. Like most apprenticeships and traineeships, there are incentives available for students. Apprentices are subject to materials fees. Upon completion of the sign writing apprenticeship, apprentices will receive their nationally recognised Certificate III in Offsite Construction. Those enrolled in sign writing apprenticeships spend their day working with employers, learning their new trade. It is a great career for those who enjoy creating and designing pieces of art for a living.