PPG and WorldSkills Europe renew partnership to support skills excellence in coatings applications
WorldSkills Europe is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with PPG, a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials.
With more than 140 years of innovation, PPG develops and delivers the paints, coatings, and specialty products trusted by customers across construction, consumer products, industrial, and transportation markets. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and operating in more than 50 countries, PPG combines dedication and creativity to solve its customers’ biggest challenges and drive progress across industries.
PPG and the PPG Foundation actively support skilled trades education, with a strong focus on advancing manufacturing and coatings applications. By investing in hands-on learning, industry-aligned training environments, and future-ready capabilities, PPG helps strengthen talent pipelines while raising awareness of skilled trades as valuable and meaningful career paths. Partnerships such as WorldSkills Europe reflect PPG’s commitment to addressing skills gaps, inspiring the next generation, and fostering technical excellence.
The renewed Premium Sponsorship Agreement was celebrated on Thursday 11 June 2026 in Helsinki, during the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026.
In reaffirming its role as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, PPG builds on its previous support in the organisation of EuroSkills Herning 2025, of National Competitions across the WorldSkills Europe membership, and of the international WorldSkills Competition 2024.
The renewed agreement represents PPG’s commitment to support the organisation of the Car Painting skill competition at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027.
“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’s partnership with WorldSkills Europe is part of its broader global commitment to support skilled trades education and expand access to technical training in advanced manufacturing and coatings applications. In March 2026, PPG and the PPG Foundation announced a commitment to invest $10 million globally through 2030 to support skills initiatives, with a focus on these areas. The funding will support programs that equip students with hands-on training and the technical expertise required for modern manufacturing and coatings application roles, while helping build practical, job-ready, and increasingly technology-enabled skills through partnerships with technical and vocational schools, community colleges, training providers, and support for national skilled trades competitions.
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with WorldSkills Europe (WSE) and support the Car Painting skill at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027. Together with WSE, we are working to elevate the visibility and value of skilled professions and inspire more young people to pursue careers in our industry. We are committed to advancing modern automotive refinishing careers and addressing the industry’s 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. With EuroSkills 2027 taking place close to our training center in Hilden, we are excited to help showcase the next generation of talent.”
PPG is one of 10 WorldSkills Europe Sponsors that, together with 36 Member Countries, are united in a commitment to strengthen Europe with the power and excellence of skills.