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

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 Supply European Institutes where chemists can study paint or colour chemistry Leeds Lyon Stuttgart Krefeld Paderborn

Supply Assessment Average annual number of paint graduates UniversityCountryGraduates ITECHFrance30 StuttgartGermany25 KrefeldGermany20 PaderbornGermany10 LeedsUK15 Total:100

Unbalanced Supply 100 Demand 220

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

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 AkzoNobelPPGBASFBlanchonAlliosCEPE

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