The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has partnered with the Surface Coatings Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and PRA, to create a national network of ambassadors for the coatings industry, delivered by Cogent Skills.
The aim is to create ‘Coatings Ambassadors’ with the skills and materials to run sessions at schools and universities to explain the contribution the industry makes to the economy and society, as well as the varied roles and opportunities within it.
Following two successful events at the end of 2019, July saw the first virtual Coatings Ambassador training, with a diverse group of attendees from AkzoNobel, BASF, Dacrylate, Imerys, Manchester University and Venator. Delegates from Brazil and the US also joined.
Through its ambassador programme and the Coatings Careers Hub, an online forum with vacancies and career resources, BCF is, ‘hopeful that we can encourage the next generation to see the world of opportunities in our industry.’
Describing the Coatings Ambassador programme as ‘part of an important and growing network’, BCF acknowledged that, ‘there is currently a shortage of skilled staff and an ageing workforce.
‘We hope that the Coatings Ambassador programme will help make a real difference.’
For more information about the programme, and future training dates, visit the Coatings Careers Hub.
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