Sign Trade Supplies team members attend Make it Happen’s Signage Bootcamp in Leicester
Finding skilled people remains one of the biggest challenges facing the sign industry. Many businesses are competing for the same talent, while experienced sign-makers continue to retire from the trade. For companies looking to grow, training and development are becoming just as important as recruitment.
Sign Trade Supplies (STS) is taking a practical approach to the issue by investing in its people and helping them develop a broader understanding of the industry they support. They recently sent two team members, CNC operator and sign finisher Seth Molde and sales and customer service team member Megan Thomsitt, to Make it Happen’s Signage Bootcamp in Leicester.
The one-day workshop, led by industry trainer Sam Armstrong, is designed to give delegates a better understanding of modern sign-making. It covers flat-cut materials, sign trays, stencil-cut signage, built-up and illuminated letters, projecting signs, totems and emerging industry trends.
Unlike many training courses, the afternoon session is entirely hands-on. Delegates build and solder their own fabricated letter, giving them direct experience of the processes involved in producing high-quality signage.
For Seth, who spends most of his working day operating CNC machinery and finishing signs, the workshop provided valuable insight into other areas of the trade. “Although I already had a good understanding of the manufacturing side, the bootcamp was a great opportunity to see different methods, techniques and ideas used across the sign industry. It gave me a broader perspective that I can bring into my new role as CNC operator and apply to the work we do at STS,” he says.
Broad training
The workshop is designed for a wide range of roles across a signage business. Business owners, project managers, estimators, designers, sales teams and production staff all attend, creating opportunities to share experiences and learn from different perspectives.
That broader approach was particularly useful for Megan, who works closely with customers every day. “The hands-on workshop was a real highlight for me. It was fascinating to step away from the sales side and experience some of the skill and precision involved in manufacturing a built-up steel letter. Having that practical insight helps me better appreciate the work behind the finished product and explain its value more clearly to our customers,” she explains.
One of the strengths of Signage Bootcamp is that it focuses on practical industry knowledge rather than product promotion. Delegates discuss real challenges, share experiences and learn how different parts of the sign-making process fit together.
For suppliers such as STS, understanding those processes is increasingly important. Customers expect advice that goes beyond product specifications. They want suppliers who understand fabrication, installation, materials and production challenges, and who can help them make informed decisions.
Investing in training helps build that expertise. The benefits extend beyond individual employees. When staff understand more about the wider industry, they are often better equipped to support customers, identify opportunities and contribute to business growth.
For STS, sending Seth and Megan to Leicester was part of a wider commitment to developing its people. The company sees training as an investment not only in its own team, but also in the future of the sign trade.
Skills development remains a key issue across the industry. As businesses adopt new technologies and customer expectations continue to evolve, there is a growing need for people who understand both the technical and commercial sides of sign-making.
Workshops such as Signage Bootcamp help bridge that gap by giving people practical experience and a better understanding of how the industry works.
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