Attracting the Next Generation of Academics

to the Paint Industry

Olivier TharreauOrganisation & People Development Director EMEA

PPG Industries

CEPE’s Forum on Education

Agenda

1. Current state of graduates’ demand and supply

2. How to increase the supply of graduates?

– Our first campaign to bridge the gap

3. Next steps

1. Current State of Demand and Supply

Annual DEMAND and

SUPPLY of Paint Chemists

in Europea CEPE assessment

The Demand

2 dimensions:

1. The Qualitative aspect: the necessary professional skills and competencies of graduates

2. The Quantative aspect: paint industry workforce planning needs

Not just the paint manufacturers but also the up- and down-stream market actors (suppliers and applicators) have demand for academic paint chemists

Demand Assessment

Hypothesis used:

R&D equals 3% of turnover

Labs have 1 academic per 3 assistant’s

The paint academic remains, on average, 10 years in product development

Evolution of paint market

Raw Material Industry Paint Industry

Paint Application

on OEM Lines

Assessment of demand for paint academics in Europe

Market actor

Tasks of paint chemist

New RM development

with evaluations in paint starting

formulations

New paint development

with evaluation in practice

Ensure best physical and

chemical result from substrate &

paint

Est. annual EU demand for academics

60 (27%) 130 (60%) 30 (13%)

Demand Assessment

The SupplyEuropean Institutes where chemistscan study paint or colour chemistry

Leeds

Lyon

Stuttgart

Krefeld

Paderborn

Supply Assessment

Average annual number of paint graduatesUniversity Country GraduatesITECH France 30Stuttgart Germany 25Krefeld Germany 20Paderborn Germany 10Leeds UK 15Total: 100

Unbalanced

Supply100

Demand220

2. How to Increase the Supply of Graduates?

2. How to Increase the Supply of Graduates?

Our challenges:

Attract students to paint chemical studies and to the industry (Bachelor and Master)

Encourage "dual course" (study for a degree whilst in job) Example: - Germany

Encourage universities to develop and promote paint chemistry curriculum

Our First Campaign to Bridge the Gap

1. Advertise Paint Industry and Chemical Master in Paint through « free scholarship contest » to attract students

• A CEPE campaign with the ITECH school

2. Promote "dual course" possibility (study for a degree whilst in job) towards Paint Manufacturers

Increasing the Supply

ITECH LyonWinners:

• Attend ITECH Master Paint Engineering (English courses)

• CEPE members sponsor their Scholarships

ITECH Presentation

1899 : Creation of the School (EFT)

1969 : Creation of the Paint Department for Fipec

1984 : Creation of the first plastic processing department in France

1988 : Launching of ITECH-Lyon and merger with ESITL (Lyon Textile School)

Recognition of degree by the Commission of Chartered Engineers (CTI) - Master’s Degree

1996 : Launching of ITECH ENTERPRISES

Continuing education and research - Affiliate of ITECH LYON

35%

28%

37%

Management skills

Specialised technical knowledge Fundamental Sciences

ITECH Curriculum

Campaign Efforts

1. CEPE and National Associations to invite sponsors:• Member Companies• National Associations (via NA Budget or split among

SMEs)

2. National Associations and ITECH to connect with candidates through:• Connecting with universities with chemistry faculties• Promotion via student fairs

3. Interested student • Send in a 3 minute video ‘paint yourself’, comprising the

motivation to choose this Master program

Campaign Result

We selected 10 students who will be sponsored by the following companies:

(with total 12 months internship over their 3 years studies)

Handover of the scholarships on Sept. 30 at ITECH, Lyon

AkzoNobel PPG BASF Blanchon Allios CEPE

3. Next Steps

Objectives of CEPE’s Forum

Developing and implementing strategies that will increase the numbers of students (or employees) going for an academic degree in paint or ink chemistry

Raising the visibility of our industry with the career opportunities it offers (Building on the ITECH campaign)

Stimulating network development among relevant universities that offer the ‘right kind of graduates’ for our industry

Promoting inside the CEPE community certified courses that aim to improve know-how and skills of already employed people

Industry Needs

Shortage of paint chemists is an issue that will affect big and small

Our recommendations:1. A broader involvement of the paint

companies– Offer sponsorships and / or internships (CEPE +

NA’s coordination and support)– Offer “dual courses” training to their talented

employees

2. A key involvement of National

Associations– Reaching and informing students on the paint

industry and employment opportunities (contact with universities and attending student fairs)

Thank you for your attention