After the journeyman certificate — how you can build further
Further training and advanced training for sign technicians.
When you are trained as a sign technician you have a solid professional foundation – but you don't need to stop there. The trade develops and so do your opportunities. Here are the typical paths forward from short courses to full further education.
§Shorter further education
The fastest way to develop is through short courses that keep your skills sharp and give you new ones. It can be courses in the latest design programs, new print technologies and materials, advanced car wrapping or sales and customer contact. Many of such courses can be taken as further education alongside work, and companies can organize courses at their own pace.
- 01Courses in design software and graphic production
- 02Courses in new materials, printing and lamination
- 03Courses in management, sales and customer handling
- 04Safety courses e.g. lifting and working at height
§Further education at higher level
With a vocational education in hand you have access to several higher education options. A useful tool is to use the so-called access card that shows which educations your journeyman's certificate gives you access to. If you take the education as EUX you also get the same further education opportunities as with a secondary education because you then also have the academic subjects in place.
§Academy and diploma track
There are further education options at academy level often aimed at working people — for example in management design or production. Here you as a skilled worker can take a step up without having to start completely over and the company can be part of arranging the program. It is a good path if you want more responsibility to become a work leader or to eventually run your own business.
§The entrepreneur path
Many sign technicians dream of their own workshop. It requires the skill — you have it — but also knowledge of economics sales quotes and customers. Courses in self-employment accounting and marketing are an obvious addition if you want to go that way. The experience from your years as an employee is gold dust before you throw yourself into it on your own.
“Your journeyman certificate is not the finish line — it's the starting blocks for the rest of your career.”