BASF Coatings announced that its Automotive Refinish business unit will once again be the global industry partner of WorldSkills International and sponsor the “Car Painting” category to support the next-generation of automotive refinishers and also make the paint and coatings industry aware of young, well-trained talents. BASF has been the global industry partner of WorldSkills International and official sponsor of the Car Painting category since 2017.
“Starting a career as an automotive refinisher requires a lot of skills, a good understanding of products and processes and of course good training,” said Dr. Harald Borgholte, global strategic marketing and product development, BASF Coatings. “Therefore, it is important for up-and-coming spray painters to join world-class competitions like the WorldSkills or the R-M Best Painter Contest to challenge and develop themselves in skills and sustainable practices for long-term success. With our initiatives and training platforms, we take an active role in supporting young talents, provide them with the respective know-how and and make their occupation more visible.”
Known internationally as the world championship of non-academic occupations, the WorldSkills competition aims to motivate young people worldwide to take up a trade or technical profession. By sponsoring this initiative, BASF supports young talents, inspires them and makes them excited about the spray painting profession in particular.
Started in 1950, WorldSkills features trainees and young skilled workers from all over the world who compete with each other and measure their skills in numerous categories. Through national and regional preliminary competitions, only the best of their trade qualify for the finals of the biennial world championships.
At the WorldSkills competition, participants in the “Car Painting” category will exclusively use products from BASF’s Glasurit or R-M brands, depending on the country, as well as the RODIM brand range of paint-related products. Local trainers and online tutorials will help the young painters learn more about efficient application processes and provide them with useful tricks for best results. During the finals, the jury will also pay close attention to a sustainable way of working. By selecting the right products, reducing waste and re-using materials, the participants will be in the position to combine ecological vision and economic success.
The WorldSkills International competition will take place Aug. 22-27 in Kazan, Russia. WorldSkills organizers are expecting more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world as well as 1,600 participants from more than 60 countries who will measure their skills against each other in 56 performance competitions.
