QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Qualification Title
New Zealand Certificate in Signmaking (Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
120
NZSCED
100501 Creative Arts > Graphic and Design Studies > Graphic Arts and
Design Studies
DAS Classification
712 Arts and Crafts > Graphic Arts > Signmaking
Strategic purpose
statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the signmaking industry with
individuals who have attained sufficient competencies and capabilites to
advance in the signmaking industry. Graduates will be capable of operating
at an advanced level with no supervision.
The New Zealand Certificate in Signmaking (Level 4) is designed for
experienced people working in the signmaking industry. People undertaking
this qualification will either work in a specialised signmaking business or the
signmaking division of another business, and will be involved with general
and complex production activities in signmaking.
The qualification has been developed to encourage learners to train to higher
levels in a formal programme of training, and to credential employee
capabilities.
It recognises knowledge and skills that will support competent job
performance, the future introduction of new technologies within the industry,
further personal up-skilling in the workplace, and the meeting of customer
requirements.
This level four qualification has a pre-requisite of New Zealand Certificate in
Signmaking (Level 3) [Ref: 1824] and provides a pathway to qualifications in
management.
Outcome Statement
Graduate
profile
As a qualified signmaker at this level graduates are able to:

Survey sites for sign installation.

Manage safety and meet all legislative requirements in the signmaking
industry.

Settle customer and post-installation disputes, solve problems and
rectify faults that relate to design, production, fabrication, and
installation, when making and installing signs.

Produce signs for familiar and unfamiliar contexts, and familiar and
unfamiliar problems, using a broad and complex range of standard and
non-standard signmaking and printing skills.

Take personal responsibility for the production outcomes.
Education
pathway
This certificate builds on from the New Zealand Certificate in Signmaking
(Level 3) [Ref: 1824] and graduates may move on to qualifications in
management.
Employment
pathway
Graduates will be qualified to work as signmakers in all sectors of the
signmaking industry and may go on to become Production Supervisors in the
industry.
Qualification Reference 1825
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2012
Page 1 of 4
Qualification
Developer
Competenz
Qualification Specification
Qualification award
This qualification is awarded by Competenz upon completion of the
qualification requirements. The formal certificate will include the NZQF logo,
the Competenz logo, and the logo of any tertiary education organisation
offering a programme of training leading to award of this qualification.
Review period
By 31 December 2017
Evidence
requirements for
managing
consistency
All TEOs either arranging training or delivering programmes that lead to the
award of the qualification are required to participate in a consistency process
scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduate’s achievement
of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds for qualification outcome
achievement and areas for improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification graduate
profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their own evidence in a high
level report.
Evidence will include the following:

Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the qualification meet
the graduate profile outcomes.

Evidence of effective processes to ensure programmes continue to
meet current industry needs.

A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that graduates meet
the graduate profile outcomes.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the managing consistency process can be found on
the NZQA website.
Credit transfer and
recognition of prior
learning
arrangements
Competenz recognises prior learning achieved within both formal and
informal settings. For full details, contact Competenz, direct phone 09-539
9898, or by email to info@competenz.org.nz.
Processes may include:
- recognition for people who have worked in industry for a period of
time who have not had any formal recognition of their skills
- assisting people to upgrade previously gained qualifications
- credit for learning achieved in previously gained qualifications that
aligns with outcomes in this qualification.
TEOs delivering programmes that lead to award of this qualification may
transfer credit and recognise prior learning in accordance with their own
credit recognition policies and procedures.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment standards are used for
assessment within programmes of study or training leading to this
qualification.
Minimum standard
of achievement and
standards for grade
endorsements
(where applicable)
Achieved
Qualification Reference 1825
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2012
Page 2 of 4
Prerequisites to
meet regulatory
body or legislative
requirements
(where applicable)
New Zealand Certificate in Signmaking (Level 3) [Ref: 1824]
Other conditions
for qualification
Assessment must include three of the following with equal weighting:

Applying self adhesive vinyl film to complex surfaces

Applying special effect to embellish signs manually

Producing and installing illuminated signs of different light sources

Applying advanced decorative forms to signs manually

Creating documents for digital printers using basic software

Printing large format documents using a range of media and inks

Creating a colour managed process by analysing working environment
for light, creating and applying profiles, optimising software settings,
testing and making adjustments.

Drawing vector and raster illustrations using illustrative techniques to
meet digital printing job requirements
Conditions relating to specific outcomes
Qualification Outcomes (including
indicative credit values for each
outcome)
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
Survey sites for sign installation
Recommended: Unit standard 27581
Optional
standard
Recommended: Unit standard 27587
Optional
standard
Recommended: Unit standard 27586
Optional
standard
These conditions may be demonstrated
through assessment against the
following recommended Unit standards
in the Signmaking and/or Digital
Processes for Print domains:
Optional
standards
20 credits
Manage safety and meet all legislative
requirements in the signmaking industry.
20 credits
Settle customer and post-installation
disputes, solve problems and rectify faults
that relate to design, production,
fabrication, and installation, when making
and installing signs
20 credits
Produce signs for familiar and unfamiliar
contexts, and familiar and unfamiliar
problems, using a broad and complex
range of standard and non-standard
signmaking and printing skills
50 credits
23558
23828
24515
26118
27576
27580
27582
27583
Qualification Reference 1825
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2012
Page 3 of 4
Take personal responsibility for the
production outcomes.
10 credits
Transition information
Replacement
information
This qualification and the New Zealand Certificate in Signmaking (Level 3)
[Ref: 1824] replace an existing qualification listed on the NZQF, the National
Certificate in Signmaking with strands in Computer Graphics, Hand Lettering,
and Electric Signmaking [Ref: 0306].
The last date for award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2019.
No further enrolments in the above qualification will be accepted after December 2016. People
currently enrolled in programmes leading to the expiring qualification may either complete that
qualification or transfer to the new qualification under the guidance of the Competenz.
Republication information
Version 1 of this qualification was republished in April 2015 to update the Evidence requirements for
managing consistency.
Version 1 of this qualification was republished in November 2015 to extend the last date of enrolment
into programmes leading to the replaced qualification from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016
and the last date for assessment extended from 31 December 2015 to 31 December 2019.
Qualification Reference 1825
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2012
Page 4 of 4