PPG Announces Major Global Investment in Skilled Trades Education

PPG, together with the PPG Foundation, has unveiled a significant global commitment of 10 million dollars (R170 million) to be invested through to 2030 in support of skilled trades education.

The funding places particular emphasis on advanced manufacturing and coatings applications, aiming to equip the next generation of workers with the practical and technical expertise required in modern industrial environments.

The initiative focuses on expanding access to hands-on training and specialised knowledge by partnering with technical colleges, vocational schools, community colleges and workforce development organisations. Through these collaborations, the programme seeks to ensure that learners gain job-ready, technology-enabled skills that align with the evolving demands of global industry.

Malesia Dunn, executive director of the PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility, emphasised both the urgency and the long-term value of this investment. She noted that industries across the world increasingly depend on a skilled workforce capable of navigating advancements in coatings application and manufacturing technology. According to Dunn, PPG’s goal is to help individuals prepare not only for the challenges of today but also for the workplaces of tomorrow.

This new commitment builds on PPG’s previous workforce investment of 2 million dollars allocated for 2023 to 2025, a target that the organisation not only met ahead of schedule but surpassed.

A key element of the expanded programme is its global reach. In Finland, OSAO Vocational College, one of the nation’s largest vocational institutions, has integrated the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem into its automotive painting curriculum, giving students access to cutting-edge tools used in the contemporary automotive refinish industry. Similar donations have already benefited 20 vocational schools across Europe.

In China, PPG continues to support the China National Petroleum and Chemical Industry Work Skills Competition, also known as the PPG Master Cup, which prepares students for roles in modern industrial environments throughout 2024 and 2025.

In the United States, PPG funding contributes to the Lost Angels Career Center, which offers a 12-week vocational programme for disadvantaged young adults, combining practical training with an apprenticeship component. The company also supports Pittsburgh’s Bidwell Training Center by providing resources, including coating testing equipment, for its Chemical Laboratory Technician programme, enhancing material science education.

In Brazil, PPG continues its long-standing involvement with Cidade dos Meninos, supplying paints, coatings and training materials for a free professional course in automotive painting and refinishing.

The new investment coincides with the 75th anniversary of the PPG Foundation in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s history of supporting education, communities and future innovators. Dunn highlighted that the enhanced commitment to skilled trades remains central to strengthening local communities and developing sustainable career pathways, while also helping meet the growing workforce needs within the coatings and manufacturing sectors.