Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 6

19 20 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 NEW ZEALAND S IGN & DI SPLAY ASSOC I AT ION INC . is currently revamping the apprenticeship training system which will promote working with industry even closer in the coming future. COVID-19 and its effects on our industry is still evolving but, so far, we have found our members seem positive about the long-term future. While COVID’s business effects vary greatly from member to member it is clear that our industry is still growing strongly. The NZSDA are available to all our members for information and assistance in dealing with these crazy times.” BVO: Can you describe your membership categories and the benefits offered by the Association? Lowe: “Currently we have 219 members, 180 of which are sign making members, the balance are Associate members (suppliers to the industry). We have four types of membership: Category A services the one-man band or contractors; Category B for the small businesses that have three employees or less; Category C for large sign businesses of 3 or more employees; and an Associate membership for our suppliers or those affiliated with the industry. Last year we introduced a new membership called multi-site which was helpful and cost effective for those large franchises or companies that have the same name in different locations throughout NZ. “We have many benefits that suit our small to medium businesses such as Health and Safety programs, employment information, business and home insurance and like many associations we also offer discounts with petrol and office legislation. With more and more legislation, council bylaws, workplace health and safety laws and general employment rules and regulations, the NZSDA assists our members in navigating the minefield of general business management. If we have evolved, I would suggest this is where we have changed the most. “We still supply member financial benefits in the form of discounts from Association partners, such as insurance and workplace health and safety plans and industry regulation tickets such as working at heights. Our main member benefit still remains the networking opportunities, not just sourcing work but also learning from each other and associating with like-minded people in the same industry with the same challenges. Our Association also provides information to the general public, through social media and our website. Businesses can feel confident when dealing with one of our members that they are working with a professional company that has met and maintains the high standards in quality.” neon, illuminated, handcrafted, technology, construction and design. When it comes to commercial, technical or economic policies affecting the sign and display industry, the Association is the trusted official channel of communication between the industry and many government offices as well as Standards New Zealand, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and other statutory organisations and local authorities. Business View Oceania asked the NZSDA President Andy Lowe for his perspective on the current challenges and future outlook for the Association and the industry as a whole. He offered some enlightening insights. BVO: How has the NZSDA evolved over almost 50 years? Lowe: “Our aims and goals haven’t changed much, rather they have adapted to current production techniques, materials used and BVO: What are the biggest challenges in the industry today and what solutions are being employed to improve the situation? Lowe: “One of our largest challenges is the shortage of skilled staff. Like most trades our members are constantly struggling to find and keep skilled personnel. The NZSDA are working with our government organised and lead training provider to not only keep the training of our apprentices up to standard and current but to promote our industry to job seekers as an exciting, technologically evolving creative trade. We have also developed our Signee pre- vocational training program for those seeking employment in the signage industry. This is the first step toward a career in sign making which acts as a prelim for the apprenticeship. “Our careers and training liaison is working with schools and other training groups to spread the word and help attract creative people to our industry. The New Zealand government