PPG Austria supports the new generation of automotive professionals with donation to Fachberufsschule Villach

PPG as part of an official donation handover at the beginning of July, several PPG LINQ™ technologies were handed over to Fachberufsschule Villach (Villach Vocational School located in Villach, Austria). Among other things, the Villach Vocational School received the automated MoonWalk® color mixing system and PPG VisualizID™, which enables digital color matching on the screen.

The donation is part of a global PPG program aimed at supporting educational institutions, promoting the trade and giving prospective skilled workers early access to the latest technology.

PPG and all supported educational institutions have set themselves the goal of teaching students the skills and knowledge they need for a successful education. 

Against the backdrop of the challenges highlighted in a European Commission report on vocational education and training (VET), PPG is committed to promoting initiatives to improve the quality of training, with a focus on sustainability and digitization.

"We are pleased to support the Fachberufsschule Villach with innovations from the PPG LINQ ecosystem. Progress and digitization are of central importance to PPG," explains Werner Lanzersdorfer, Managing Director of PPG Austria Handels GmbH, adding: "We want to inspire and encourage young professionals with the latest technology. Our commitment to educational institutions reflects this goal and prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need for successful professional development in a dynamic industry."

By providing innovative equipment, not only is the quality of training improved, but the attractiveness of the trade is also increased. This helps to attract qualified professionals for the future and significantly improves the image of the apprenticeship. The campaign aims to promote the next generation of skilled workers in vehicle refinishing by supporting vocational schools with innovative and sustainable technologies. The early engagement with digital, future-oriented work tools for an efficient repair process during the training period strengthens the job profile and makes it attractive for the coming generations of tomorrow.

"As a school that promotes innovation and digitalization, it is particularly important to us to inspire young painters to take up the trade. With the introduction of PPG LINQ, including the automated color mixing system MoonWalk and the digital color matching PPG VisualizID, we can give our students insights into sustainable and modern technologies for vehicle repair right from the start of their training," explains Walter Werner, vocational school director, Fachberufsschule Villach.

PPG LINQ is a digital platform that offers bodywork and paint shops a variety of advantages. It makes daily work easier and enables more efficient processes - from color matching to the mixing process and the painting process. PPG LINQ bundles all digital tools and networks, automates and digitizes the entire repair process. PPG VisualizID, together with the PPG DigiMatch™ color measuring device, enables photorealistic color visualization using 3D rendering software in the form of a "virtual color sample card". The PPG VisualizID software uses the information recorded by PPG DigiMatch to identify the exact color match from a portfolio of over 80,000 colors and variants.

The identified color can then be mixed using the MoonWalk automated color mixing system. The system is self-contained and ensures a clean work area in the mixing room. It also offers a high level of mixing accuracy. The intelligent, intuitive usability in combination with color management software significantly improves the quality and safety of the color mixing process, minimizes mismixing and thus increases productivity.

PPG's partnership with Villach Vocational School aligns with its broader global commitment to support education and workforce development initiatives. In 2023, PPG and the PPG Foundation announced a $2 million investment to support programs that provide training and opportunities for future skilled workers in manufacturing and coatings application, including automotive refinish painters.