PPG renews partnership with WorldSkills Europe
PPG has announced a two-year renewal (2026-27) of its partnership with WorldSkills Europe, which promotes technical, vocational, and service-oriented education and training across Europe.
As part of the agreement, PPG will support organisation of the Car Painting competition at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, which takes place in September next year.
PPG and the PPG Foundation actively support skilled trades education, with a focus on advancing manufacturing and coatings applications, helping strengthen talent pipelines while raising awareness of skilled trades as meaningful career paths.
The company was involved in the Painting and Decorating skill category at the international WorldSkills Lyon 2024 and EuroSkills Herning 2025 competitions, and has contributed to several national competitions in both painting and decorating, and car painting.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with PPG,” said Ben Blackledge, chair of the board, WorldSkills Europe. “PPG recognises the crucial role that skills play in empowering young people in both work and life, and in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.
“We are grateful for PPG’s impressive capabilities in advanced manufacturing and coatings applications, which helps ensure that EuroSkills competitions reflect the latest industry standards and remain at the cutting-edge of technology.”
PPG will provide paint and equipment for the Car Painting skill category at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 along with support from staff from the company’s Automotive Refinish training center at nearby Hilden.
“Together with WorldSkills Europe, we are working to elevate the visibility and value of skilled professions, inspire more young people to pursue careers in our industry, and address the growing skills gap across Europe,” said Jérôme Zamblera, PPG vice president, EMEA, Automotive Refinish.
“Through national car painting competitions, collaboration with schools, and initiatives such as donations of the PPG Linq digital ecosystem, including the Moonwalk paint mixing system, we help students gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies. We are excited to help showcase the next generation of talent.”
The PPG’s partnership with WorldSkills Europe is part of PPG’s broader global commitment to support skilled trades education and expand access to technical training.
In March 2026, PPG and the PPG Foundation announced a commitment to invest $10 million globally through 2030 to support skills initiatives through partnerships with technical and vocational schools, community colleges, training providers, and support for national skilled trades competitions.
PPG will be exhibiting at the 2026 Auto Trade EXPO, which takes place alongside the CV Workshop EXPO from 10th -11th October at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin.