Grade 13 · a vocational technology learning center, by urbanicityPrinting & Signage
10 courses · 900 clock hours · 4–6 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career
Shared first block for every VoTechWorks program. OSHA 10 (30 for construction management), first aid/CPR/AED, applied trade math and measurement, technical reading and writing, digital literacy, and career readiness. Completed before students enter the lab and live systems unsupervised.
Outcomes- Hold an OSHA 10 card and current CPR/AED certification
- Convert, measure and estimate with trade units, fractions, percentages and basic geometry
- Read a specification, code excerpt or manual and write a clear technical report
- Use email, spreadsheets, and the program's digital job-management tools
- Present a resume, portfolio and interview answers to an employer panel
Course text
Shared first block for every VoTechWorks program. OSHA 10 (30 for construction management), first aid/CPR/AED, applied trade math and measurement, technical reading and writing, digital literacy, and career readiness. Completed before students enter the lab and live systems unsupervised.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: OSHA 10: introduction, rights, hazard recognition; First aid, CPR and AED; Applied trade math I: units, fractions, conversion; Applied trade math II: geometry, ratio and estimating; Technical reading and writing; Digital literacy for the trade; Career readiness: resume, portfolio, interview.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSHA 10: introduction, rights, hazard recognition | 10 | theory | Complete the OSHA 10-hour outreach course. |
| OSHA outreach materials | OSHA card issued |
| 2 | First aid, CPR and AED | 8 | practice | Respond to a collapse, bleed, burn or choke until help arrives. |
| Manikins, AED trainer, first-aid kit | AHA/Red Cross card issued |
| 3 | Applied trade math I: units, fractions, conversion | 20 | theory | Convert, add and scale measurements used in the trade. |
| Trade math workbook, tape measures, calculators | Quiz ≥ 70% |
| 4 | Applied trade math II: geometry, ratio and estimating | 20 | theory | Lay out from a drawing and estimate quantity, time and cost. |
| Drawings, estimating sheets | Estimate within 10% of the key |
| 5 | Technical reading and writing | 30 | theory | Read a specification or manual and write a clear technical report. |
| Spec excerpts, report template | Report rubric ≥ 3/4 |
| 6 | Digital literacy for the trade | 30 | lab | Use email, spreadsheets, and the trade's job-management tools. |
| Lab computers/tablets, the job app | IC3/MOS-style practical passed |
| 7 | Career readiness: resume, portfolio, interview | 30 | practice | Present yourself to an employer panel. |
| Portfolio templates, employer volunteers | Panel pass |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10 and first-aid written exams | Written exam | 25% | OSHA card issued; CPR/AED card issued | Authorized outreach trainer exam plus AHA/Red Cross skills check. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Applied math & measurement exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% | Timed exam: conversions, layout math, estimating from a drawing or recipe/order. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Technical report | Project | 25% | Rubric ≥ 3 of 4 on every criterion | A written report on a real task from the trade: problem, standard, method, result. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Employer panel interview | Oral / panel | 25% | Panel pass | Resume, 3-minute portfolio walk-through, and interview with two employer advisors. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
Digital & offset print
Competency course in Digital & offset print for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in Digital & offset print and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern Digital & offset print
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for Digital & offset print
- Perform the core tasks of Digital & offset print to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in Digital & offset print work and correct them
- Document Digital & offset print work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in Digital & offset print for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in Digital & offset print and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, digital & offset print is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12.2 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain digital & offset print, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for digital & offset print | 12.2 | theory | State the hazards of digital & offset print work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of digital & offset print | 12.2 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of digital & offset print; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for digital & offset print, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in digital & offset print | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of digital & offset print step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in digital & offset print | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of digital & offset print to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in digital & offset print | 12.2 | theory | Record digital & offset print work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: digital & offset print | 12.2 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital & offset print: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for Digital & offset print. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Digital & offset print: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of Digital & offset print against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Digital & offset print: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Digital & offset print: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing Digital & offset print work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Wide-format & UV printing
Competency course in wide-format & UV printing for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in wide-format & UV printing and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern wide-format & UV printing
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for wide-format & UV printing
- Perform the core tasks of wide-format & UV printing to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in wide-format & UV printing work and correct them
- Document wide-format & UV printing work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in wide-format & UV printing for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in wide-format & UV printing and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, wide-format & UV printing is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12.2 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain wide-format & UV printing, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | theory | State the hazards of wide-format & UV printing work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of wide-format & UV printing; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for wide-format & UV printing, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of wide-format & UV printing step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of wide-format & UV printing to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | theory | Record wide-format & UV printing work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: wide-format & UV printing | 12.2 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide-format & UV printing: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for wide-format & UV printing. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Wide-format & UV printing: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of wide-format & UV printing against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Wide-format & UV printing: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Wide-format & UV printing: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing wide-format & UV printing work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Vinyl & wraps
Competency course in vinyl & wraps for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in vinyl & wraps and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern vinyl & wraps
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for vinyl & wraps
- Perform the core tasks of vinyl & wraps to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in vinyl & wraps work and correct them
- Document vinyl & wraps work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in vinyl & wraps for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in vinyl & wraps and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, vinyl & wraps is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12.2 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain vinyl & wraps, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | theory | State the hazards of vinyl & wraps work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of vinyl & wraps; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for vinyl & wraps, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of vinyl & wraps step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of vinyl & wraps to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | theory | Record vinyl & wraps work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: vinyl & wraps | 12.2 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl & wraps: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for vinyl & wraps. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Vinyl & wraps: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of vinyl & wraps against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Vinyl & wraps: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Vinyl & wraps: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing vinyl & wraps work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Sign fabrication & install
Competency course in sign fabrication & install for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in sign fabrication & install and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern sign fabrication & install
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for sign fabrication & install
- Perform the core tasks of sign fabrication & install to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in sign fabrication & install work and correct them
- Document sign fabrication & install work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in sign fabrication & install for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in sign fabrication & install and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, sign fabrication & install is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12.2 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain sign fabrication & install, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | theory | State the hazards of sign fabrication & install work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of sign fabrication & install; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for sign fabrication & install, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of sign fabrication & install step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of sign fabrication & install to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | theory | Record sign fabrication & install work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: sign fabrication & install | 12.2 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign fabrication & install: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for sign fabrication & install. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Sign fabrication & install: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of sign fabrication & install against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Sign fabrication & install: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Sign fabrication & install: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing sign fabrication & install work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Prepress
Competency course in prepress for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in prepress and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern prepress
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for prepress
- Perform the core tasks of prepress to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in prepress work and correct them
- Document prepress work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in prepress for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in prepress and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, prepress is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12.2 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain prepress, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for prepress | 12.2 | theory | State the hazards of prepress work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of prepress | 12.2 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of prepress; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for prepress, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in prepress | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of prepress step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in prepress | 12.2 | practice | Perform the core tasks of prepress to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in prepress | 12.2 | theory | Record prepress work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: prepress | 12.2 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepress: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for prepress. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Prepress: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of prepress against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Prepress: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Prepress: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing prepress work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Museum panel production
Competency course in museum panel production for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in museum panel production and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern museum panel production
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for museum panel production
- Perform the core tasks of museum panel production to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in museum panel production work and correct them
- Document museum panel production work in the lab notebook to industry format
Course text
Competency course in museum panel production for the Printing & Signage program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the lab and live systems, measured against vendor documentation and industry standards. Students configure, secure and troubleshoot real work in museum panel production and keep a lab notebook signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Printing & Signage, museum panel production is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in lab, against vendor documentation and the standard, with the lead engineer as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 6 blocks of about 12 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain museum panel production, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for museum panel production | 12 | theory | State the hazards of museum panel production work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of museum panel production | 12 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of museum panel production; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for museum panel production, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in museum panel production | 12 | practice | Perform the core tasks of museum panel production step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Fundamentals II: independent practice in museum panel production | 12 | practice | Perform the core tasks of museum panel production to the standard with the instructor observing, not assisting. |
| Task tickets, rubric, timer, practice stock | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every line; time within 150% of the standard |
| 5 | Documentation: the log and the report in museum panel production | 12 | theory | Record museum panel production work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 6 | Written exam and skills demonstration: museum panel production | 12 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum panel production: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for museum panel production. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Museum panel production: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of museum panel production against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Museum panel production: lab notebook | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Museum panel production: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing museum panel production work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Capstone Project
An integrated, assessed piece of real work that draws on every trade course in Printing & Signage: planned, estimated, executed and documented by the student, reviewed by an employer advisor. Capstones are shown in the Student Yard or the Museum of VoTech where the work allows.
Outcomes- Plan and estimate a complete job from a specification
- Execute the job to standard within the estimate
- Present the finished work and its documentation to an employer panel
Course text
An integrated, assessed piece of real work that draws on every trade course in Printing & Signage: planned, estimated, executed and documented by the student, reviewed by an employer advisor. Capstones are shown in the Student Yard or the Museum of VoTech where the work allows.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Capstone brief and specification; Capstone build I; Capstone build II; Capstone presentation and defense.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capstone brief and specification | 27 | theory | Read the capstone specification and plan the job. |
| Capstone spec, estimating sheets | Plan and estimate approved |
| 2 | Capstone build I | 27 | practice | Execute the first half of the capstone to standard. |
| All materials per estimate | Mid-point inspection passed |
| 3 | Capstone build II | 27 | practice | Complete the capstone to standard within the estimate. |
| As above | Work complete; package complete |
| 4 | Capstone presentation and defense | 27 | assessment | Present the finished work and its documentation to the panel. |
| Presentation space, the finished work | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every criterion |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone: finished work + documentation | Project | 60% | Rubric ≥ 3 of 4 on every criterion | Employer advisor + instructor score the finished work against the specification, the estimate, and the documentation package. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Capstone: portfolio | Portfolio | 20% | Complete | Photos/drawings/logs of every course skills demonstration plus the capstone, in the program portfolio format. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Capstone: defense | Oral / panel | 20% | Panel pass | 15-minute presentation and questions from the panel. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
Externship / Worksite Placement
Supervised placement with an employer partner in Printing & Signage work. Hours are logged against the certifying body's task list; the employer evaluates against the same rubric used in the shop.
Outcomes- Perform the trade's tasks in a real workplace under supervision
- Meet employer expectations for attendance, safety and conduct
- Log hours and tasks in the format the certifying body accepts
Course text
Supervised placement with an employer partner in Printing & Signage work. Hours are logged against the certifying body's task list; the employer evaluates against the same rubric used in the shop.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Placement orientation; Supervised work: weeks 1–2; Supervised work: weeks 3–4; Supervised work: final weeks.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Placement orientation | 40.5 | theory | Know the site, its rules, and the competency list you will be evaluated on. |
| Site handbook, competency list, hours log | Induction signed |
| 2 | Supervised work: weeks 1–2 | 40.5 | field | Perform entry tasks under close supervision. |
| Hours log | Log current; supervisor initials |
| 3 | Supervised work: weeks 3–4 | 40.5 | field | Perform the trade's routine tasks with normal supervision. |
| Hours log, evaluation form | Mid-point evaluation satisfactory |
| 4 | Supervised work: final weeks | 40.5 | field | Meet employer expectations for a new hire on the competency list. |
| Evaluation form, hours verification | Final evaluation satisfactory on every competency; hours verified |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer evaluation | Skills demonstration | 70% | Satisfactory on every competency | Mid-point and final evaluation by the site supervisor on the program competency list. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Hours & task log | Log | 30% | Required hours complete and verified | Signed log of hours and tasks; verified by the registrar for the board/certifying body. Complete · Verified |
Certification Exam Preparation
Structured preparation for 3M Preferred Installer; PIA/Printing United Certification: content review mapped to the exam blueprint, timed practice exams, practical-exam rehearsal, and registration/eligibility paperwork with the registrar.
Outcomes- Score ≥ 80% on two timed mock exams
- Complete the eligibility application and hours verification
- Rehearse the practical exam format to time
Course text
Structured preparation for 3M Preferred Installer; PIA/Printing United Certification: content review mapped to the exam blueprint, timed practice exams, practical-exam rehearsal, and registration/eligibility paperwork with the registrar.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: The exam blueprint; Mock exam I and review; Practical exam rehearsal; Mock exam II and registration.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The exam blueprint | 11.3 | theory | Map the credential exam blueprint to what you have learned. |
| Published blueprint, study plan template | Study plan on file |
| 2 | Mock exam I and review | 11.3 | assessment | Sit a timed full-length mock and review every miss. |
| Mock exam, answer keys | Score recorded; review complete |
| 3 | Practical exam rehearsal | 11.3 | practice | Rehearse the practical/skills portion to the exam's time and format. |
| Practical exam materials | Rehearsal within time, no critical misses |
| 4 | Mock exam II and registration | 11.3 | assessment | Sit the second mock and complete exam registration. |
| Registration forms, hours evidence | ≥ 80%; registration submitted |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mock certification exam (×2) | Mock certification exam | 100% | ≥ 80% on both | Full-length timed mocks built from the certifying body's published blueprint; second attempt after targeted review. Score · Time management |
External credential: 3M Preferred Installer; PIA/Printing United Certification
The program completion credential(s). Sat at the school's authorized testing center or the body's test site; results recorded in the student record and reported in the annual outcomes report. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Printing & Signage · How the school gets authority to award these credentials