Attracting
the Next Generation of Academics
to the Paint Industry
Olivier Tharreau
Organisation & 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 Europe
a 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
Demand Assessment
Assessment of demand for paint academics in Europe
Market actor
Raw Material
Industry
Paint Industry
Paint
Application
on OEM Lines
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%)
The Supply
European Institutes where chemists
can study paint or colour chemistry
Krefeld
Stuttgart
Lyon
Paderborn
Leeds
Supply Assessment
Average annual number of paint graduates
University
ITECH
Country
France
Graduates
30
Stuttgart
Krefeld
Paderborn
Germany
Germany
Germany
25
20
10
Leeds
Total:
UK
15
100
Unbalanced
Supply
100
Demand
220
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 Lyon
Winners:
• 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
ITECH Curriculum
Fundamental Sciences
Specialised technical knowledge
35%
37%
28%
Management skills
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:
AkzoNobel
PPG
BASF
Blanchon
Allios
CEPE
(with total 12 months internship over their 3 years studies)
Handover of the scholarships on Sept. 30 at ITECH, Lyon
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