PPG has partnered with College360, the only school in Denmark that offers automotive refinishing training.
Partnership with College360 aims to address the skills shortage in the industry. One of the measures taken is to ensure that students have access to the most advanced and digital technology available in the industry.
The automotive refinish industry is a rapidly evolving industry with an increasing focus on innovation, digitalization, and sustainability. With the new digital tools, College360 will be able to create an education based on the latest trends and tools in the industry, helping to attract and retain students in the program.
In addition, as digital tools make their way into bodyshops, new demands are also placed on painters.
Many of the processes in modern bodyshops are supported by digital tools and automated processes, creating a more streamlined and sustainable business.
PPG has developed PPG LINQ, a digital ecosystem that automates and digitizes the repair process in the bodyshop. PPG LINQ covers the entire process from color identification with PPG VisualizID 3D software to automated mixing of car paint with PPG MoonWalk.
PPG presented the new digital tools to the many students at an inauguration event at College360 in Silkeborg in August. More than 300 students and industry professionals attended the event. Some of the participating students had already chosen their main course in automotive refinishing, while others were about to choose a direction.
Daniel Krarup Jørgensen, Education Manager Automotive, College360, says about the collaboration:
"We are proud to partner with PPG to bring advanced technology and expertise to our educational program at College360. This partnership will give our students a unique opportunity to work with some of the most innovative tools on the market. We hope this will motivate more young people to choose a career in automotive refinishing and thereby mitigate the shortage of qualified professionals in the industry."
Bjørn Holm, Sales Manager Denmark & Finland, PPG Refinish, adds:
"The lack of qualified personnel, especially among the younger generations, is a common concern for body shops across Europe, including Denmark. We want to empower the next generation of skilled professionals in the refinish industry by supporting vocational schools with our innovative and sustainable technologies. This partnership is an important step for PPG to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the automotive refinish industry."
PPG will be involved in the further process of consulting and training at the school, directly or through PPG's distributor in Denmark, Scandinavia Paint Solutions.
The implementation of the new digital tools gives the automotive refinishing program a solid technological boost. Hopefully, this will spark more interest in the education - and make the students more attractive to the labor market.