Surventis is strengthening its commitment to skills development in the automotive refinish sector through its partnership with WorldSkills International. As a Global Industry Partner and Silver Partner of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, the company is helping prepare young professionals for the evolving demands of body shops, customers and the wider automotive industry.
Through Glasurit, its premium automotive refinish brand, Surventis is providing competitors with access to specialist training, technical expertise and practical industry knowledge. The initiative is designed to equip participants with the skills required to succeed in modern automotive refinishing, where digital technologies, productivity improvements and sustainability are increasingly important.
In the lead-up to the competition, Surventis is supporting finalists and WorldSkills Experts through its global network of Refinish Competence Centres, digital learning programmes and Refinity webinars. Refinity, the company’s cloud-based platform for body shops, offers tools for colour management, business administration, training and process optimisation. These resources help participants refine their colour matching abilities, application techniques, workshop efficiency and sustainable repair methods.
The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026. As part of their preparation, competitors from more than 20 countries are training with Glasurit 100 Line, the brand’s advanced waterborne coating system. By combining expert-led practical instruction with digital learning resources, participants are gaining hands-on experience in efficient and environmentally responsible repair processes.
Industry partners including SATA and 3M are also supporting the preparation programme by providing complementary technologies, expertise and practical insights from across the automotive refinish sector.
Steve Arndt, Executive Vice President Refinish Coatings at Surventis, emphasised that tomorrow’s refinish professionals require more than technical competence alone. He highlighted the growing importance of operational efficiency, digital adoption and sustainable workplace practices.
“Through WorldSkills and the Glasurit training ecosystem, we are helping young talent develop these capabilities and prepare for rewarding careers in our industry. By investing in skills development today, we are helping shape the future workforce of automotive refinishing.”
David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, welcomed the continued partnership, noting that preparing young people for the future of work requires exposure to the technologies and innovations transforming modern industries. He said Glasurit’s support reflects a shared commitment to talent development, innovation and career readiness.
Beyond training and competition preparation, Surventis also supports the Sustainable Practice Excellence Award, recognising competitors who demonstrate both exceptional technical performance and responsible, efficient working practices.
