By Alison Kent, International Sign Association
The skills gap affects many areas of industry, from wide-ranging fields such as STEM and manufacturing to specific subfields within those areas like the sign, graphics and visual communications industries. Yet these industries offer solid career choices for entry level applicants, with clear possibilities for growth.
As noted in the infographic above, 68 percent of sign manufacturers are hiring in the coming year, and 63 percent say that attracting skilled workers is the number one issue impacting business. Career and technical education classes provide students the skills they need to succeed in the sign, graphics and visual communications industries. Their coursework can lead them into amazing careers. According to the International Sign Association’s Wage & Benefit Survey, in 2016 the expected average pay increase in these industries was 4.8% for hourly employees, 4.6% for salaried employees, and 5.0% for management. In addition, many of today’s sign, graphics and visual communication company leaders began their careers in skilled positions—proving the advancement possibilities within these industries.
The International Sign Association offers digital badges in partnership with NOCTI. These badges provide students the opportunity to strengthen their resumes, earn college credit hours and become more qualified for positions in the sign industry. The badges cover fifteen different fields that relate to the sign, graphics and visual communications industries, including CAD, construction, electrical occupations, mechanical drafting & design, and welding.
For more information about the opportunities that are available in the sign, graphics and visual communications industries, visit www.signs.org/careers.