He has announced goals to increase membership, particularly younger members, and reinvigorate the existing pool of members.

Baty, the owner of Wellington-based Concept Sign and Display, succeeded Ross Probert, who had headed the NZSDA over the past two-and-a-half years and will now become vice-president.

“It is my goal to try and increase membership in the younger, up-and-coming generation of signmakers by making them feel more included and less as if they are second-rate because they can’t use a mall stick and paintbrush,” Baty told ProPrint.

“I also want to raise awareness among existing members that if they don’t participate, their organisation will slowly die,” he added.

“It is understandable that people are busy in this day and age, but they need to be reminded that if they don’t make sacrifices by attending meetings and events, the organisation does suffer.”

Baty established Concept Sign and Display 14 years ago and has been in the industry for about 20 years. He has served as the NZSDA’s Wellington branch manager for the past two years and also as the national vice-president for the past year.

Having attended the recent annual NZSDA Awards in Christchurch, at which the country’s top apprentices were also recognised, Baty noted that although overall entries were slightly down, attendance was the best in the event’s history.

“The judges’ comments were that the overall standard was high, but there was a noticeable change in that there were fewer high-end entries, which was understandable given the economic times.

“They also noted that there was a huge improvement in the standard of the design skills. The sign industry is maturing as we become more used to the technological changes.”

Meanwhile, the NZ sign industry has cast its eyes across the Tasman as it strives to revamp its apprenticeship training system and maximise government funding opportunities, explained New Zealand Sign School administrator and trustee Ian Smyth.

“The country is concerned that we have far too many employees without any qualifications,” said Smyth.
“We have agonised over whether the apprenticeship system is still relevant for our industry and with the Australian sign industry updating its own apprenticeship training, we have renewed confidence this is the way of the future.

“We intend to introduce the Australian system – with minor adaptations – which is more up-to-date and flexible than our current programme. Consideration is also being given to using parts of the programme for specialist areas such as sign installation and sign application.

“This will mean most of your staff of the future will be able to gain some formal qualification and can add to this as their skills develop or they change positions,” added Smyth.

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