PPG steunt masteropleiding voor verftechnici

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)– PPG (NYSE:PPG) has partnered with ITECH Engineering School in Lyon, France, to help sponsor the first chemical engineering master’s degree program dedicated to paints and coatings in Europe.

PPG has worked closely with the European Council for Paints, Printing Inks and Artists’ Colours Industry (CEPE) to help develop the ITECH European master’s degree. The program is designed to attract students to the coatings industry. As part of the program, students complete extensive coursework and three internships at sponsoring organizations. Courses are taught in English to help prepare students for the global coatings marketplace. The program’s first cohort of nine students will graduate in May 2017.

According to CEPE officials, each year approximately 100 trained graduates enter a job market with an estimated 225 positions to fill.

“Our industry needs graduates,” said Olivier Tharreau, PPG director, organizational development, EMEA, and a CEPE member who helped design the master’s degree program. “There is high demand for qualified graduates, but there are few candidates due to the lack of specialized education programs.”

As a program sponsor, PPG provided $34,000 in both 2014 and 2015 through its community engagement grantmaking program to cover tuition for four students and will provide additional tuition support in 2016. PPG also is providing 10-month internships at its facilities throughout Europe for students in the program as part of its sponsorship.

“Our industry needs chemists who have a scientific and technical understanding of coatings, and who have the ability to develop strong management skills,” Tharreau said. “This program helps students meet these requirements and provides them with resources they will need to succeed. It also gives us the chance to introduce promising students to PPG and the career opportunities that the global leader in paints and coatings can offer them.”

ITECH-Lyon trains engineers in plastics, textiles, composites and chemistry by examining paints, inks, adhesives, cosmetics, leather and their uses (footwear, leather goods). With an associative status, ITECH-Lyon is a Grande Ecole created and backed by professional unions and companies.

PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring colour and brightness to PPG communities around the world. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in industries related to coatings and specialty materials. Plus, we empower PPG employees to make an impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com and follow @PPG_Communities on Twitter.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.™

PPG’s vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and colour, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2015 were $15.3 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

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Contacts

PPG:
Ken Armistead
Corporate Communications, EMEA
+44-1924-354848
EMEACommunications@ppg.com
orMark Silvey
Corporate Communications, Global
412-434-3046
silvey@ppg.com