PPG Partners With Automotive Training Schools in Switzerland and Denmark

The automotive sector has been facing a shortage of skilled workers for several years. With skilled technicians reaching retirement and fewer young people choosing to enter the profession, the shortfall of trained workers available to fill vacancies continues to grow. 

As a leading force in the industry, PPG shares this concern and is channelling decades of experience and expertise into addressing the problem.

"The lack of qualified personnel, especially among the younger generations, is a common concern for body shops across Europe,” says Bjørn Holm, Sales Manager for Denmark and Finland, PPG Automotive Refinish.

“We want to empower the next generation of skilled professionals in the refinish industry by supporting vocational schools with our innovative and sustainable technologies.”

PPG LINQ™ Digital Ecosystem

Following successful partnerships with automotive schools in France and Germany, PPG has extended its support to educational facilities in Switzerland and Denmark to introduce the next generation of technicians to digitalised repair tools and processes. As part of this effort, both schools received an exciting ‘back to school gift’ – our revolutionary PPG LINQ digital ecosystem.

The cloud-based PPG LINQ digital ecosystem connects, automates, and digitises the bodyshop repair processes. It includes the PPG MOONWALK® automated paint mixing system, PPG DIGIMATCH™ multi-angle spectrophotometer and PPG VISUALIZID™ 3D rendering software.

Centre de Formation des Carrossiers Vaudois, Switzerland

PPG has entered into a partnership with Centre de Formation des Carrossiers Vaudois (CFCV), an educational institution based in Moudon, Switzerland. CFCV is a modern facility specialising in training and skills for body repair technicians, panel beaters, painters, and locksmiths with a dedicated training space measuring more than 1000 m².

As part of this partnership, PPG has provided CFCV with the PPG LINQ ecosystem in a ceremony attended by Alban d’Epenoux, Global Marketing Director, PPG Automotive Refinish, Jérôme Zamblera, vice president, PPG Automotive Refinish EMEA and Jonathan Hatfield, Business Director North Europe, PPG Automotive Refinish EMEA. The PPG LINQ hardware and software solutions will be used to train the students in the latest technological innovations in preparation for entering the job market.

Urs Schoch, Director, PPG Automotive Refinish, Switzerland, explains:

"By equipping schools with the latest technologies and the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem, we are not only providing tools; we are creating an environment that will attract and empower young painters in their future workshops.”

The automotive body repair industry is constantly evolving, and our commitment to innovation ensures that the next generation of professional painters is well-prepared to meet the demands of the body repair trades in most European countries, including Switzerland."

“At the CFCV, we place great importance on close relationships with our supplier partners," says Hélène Bra, President of Carrosserie Suisse Vaud and head of the CFCV. “PPG's investment demonstrates their commitment to supporting both initial and continuous training. Our shared commitment to addressing the challenges faced by bodyshops is the primary goal of all parties. Together, we are preparing apprentices for successful careers, contributing to the overall success of the automotive finishing industry.”

College360, Denmark

In addition to CFCV in Switzerland, PPG has also partnered with College360 in Silkeborg, Denmark – the only educational facility in the country offering automotive refinish training.

The automotive refinish industry is rapidly evolving with an increasing focus on digitalisation, innovation and sustainability. The collaboration between PPG and College360 and the donation of the PPG LINQ system will allow students to access education and training based on the latest digital trends and tools in the industry, preparing them for the modern workplace.

“This partnership is an important step for PPG to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the automotive refinish industry," says Bjørn Holm.

College360’s Automotive Education Manager, Daniel Krarup Jørgensen, 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.”