PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) recently established the first waterborne automotive paint training center in a college in China at Shanghai Communications Polytechnic (SCP). The opening of the training center increases the coordination between college education and original-equipment manufacturing technology and enhances the link between studies and practical work experience.
As a global leader in waterborne automotive refinish basecoat systems, PPG is committed to driving education in the industry. At the beginning of this year, PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., rebuilt the automotive paints training center at SCP to support training in applying environmentally-responsible, high-performance waterborne refinish coatings. The center was successfully completed in early March.
“College is a place where talented individuals are trained,” said James Yang, business director of PPG Refinish, China and Hong Kong. “Since 2003, PPG has been involved in various educational programs in the region. The establishment of the waterborne paint training center clearly demonstrates PPG’s determination to lead the industry in environmentally-responsible technology. We hope to create the most eco-friendly, advanced and efficient working environment through providing waterborne paints, ‘green’ equipment and advanced technologies to students.”
PPG is committed to improving the overall automotive refinish industry in China. To this end, PPG helps to cultivate talented individuals and gives back to the industry. In addition to establishing scholarships for students at Nankai University and seven other universities, PPG launched the paint training center project in response to a September 2008 call from the Ministry of Education of China to train automotive repair personnel. SCP is the first college to sign an agreement with PPG Automotive Refinish and is also among the first Chinese colleges to train automotive professionals.