Crown Paints focuses on industry skills

Citation

(2011), "Crown Paints focuses on industry skills", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 43 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2011.03743faa.007

Crown Paints focuses on industry skills

Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 43, Issue 6

Crown Paints is focusing on the development of young people’s skills in 2011 under a national and international program.

The UK’s largest independent coatings manufacturer kicked off its national Crown Trade Apprentice Decorator of the Year competition with regional contests at Salford City College and Blackpool and the Fylde College.

Organized under the umbrella of SkillBuild, the UK’s biggest vocational-skills competition for the construction industry, Salford and Blackpool were the first of 15 towns and cities to host regional heats over the spring and summer, which culminated in a national show of excellence.

At Salford and Blackpool, contestants demonstrated their skills and techniques during the preparation of a detailed test piece, in order to impress the judging panel and win a place in the national finals.

This was the 33rd year that Crown Paints had sponsored regional and national skill competitions for newcomers entering the UK painting and decorating industry – helping apprentices and trainees to achieve their full potential. The contest also heralded part of a wider strategy from Crown Paints to invest in young people in 2011.

Recently the company announced its first-ever sponsorship of WorldSkills, an international vocational-skills extravaganza, taking place in London. Attracting national teams of talented young people from 50 countries, competing in 45 vocational competitions under one roof, WorldSkills takes place every two years.

At the event, Crown Paints sponsored the competition to find the best young painter and decorator in the world.

Brian Davidson, Crown Paints group chief executive, said: “We are committed to investing in people and skills and believe this is fundamental for the good of the business and the well-being of the economy.

“We have been demonstrating this in a hands-on way for more than 30 years by working with colleges and training organizations, sponsoring a national painting and decorating competition for newcomers to our industry. This initiative nurtures talent, encourages young apprentices to achieve their potential, and importantly highlights painting and decorating as a skilled profession.

“We were delighted to be able to step up this commitment to a new global level by sponsoring WorldSkills 2011.”