PPG Refinish UK invests in Technical Training Centre and supporting website

PPG have announced completion of a significant investment in its Technical Training Centre in Stowmarket, Suffolk, to support the delivery of exceptional technical and training solutions.

PPG’s manufacturing site located in Stowmarket, Suffolk, has recently opened their newly refurbished training facility. The training workshop has been given a full makeover with an improved practical layout. All three of the training spray booths have been upgraded, featuring large windows to facilitate teaching requirements.

The Technical Training Centre has also invested heavily in a state of the art mixing room with the latest colour matching technology including PAINTMANAGER®. PaintManager is an advanced software program linked to a scale, giving training delegates the chance to search colour formulations quickly and easily mix colours.

The technical training facility has been designed to ensure that delegates get the most from any course whether that focuses on PPG, NEXA AUTOCOLOR® or MAXMEYER® products. The workshop incorporates a class room facility meaning delegates do not need to remove their overall between practical and classroom sessions.

PPG have invested in the training centres’ classroom facilities, which have been refurbished with new desks and the installation of a brand new IT system. The two rooms can hold up to 30 delegates at any one time or can be divided to accommodate a more intimate training session.

To promote the new training offering and facilities available, PPG has recently updated its training specific website section, which now provides full training course details. As well as course information the improved website also hosts repair process videos, which provide continuous learning development following training completion.

Richard Pipe, Technical Centre & Training Manager said “PPG have recognised the need for continuous training within the industry and have shown support with the investment in training facilities. Courses held at the site are often bespoke to suit customer needs but we also have a range of standardised courses available for bodyshops to enrol staff on. We aim to up skill the industries staff to ensure workforce retention and to attract more people to join.” He then added; “since opening we have held the Nationwide Lead Painter competition, which saw over 50 painters visit the centre for training. Following training, the top painters have been put through their paces in the competition final, proving their skill when it comes to technically challenging finishes.” The final is set to take place on the 27^th September 2016.