Surventis has strengthened its commitment to developing the next generation of automotive refinish professionals through a partnership with the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
The former BASF Coatings business is partnering with WorldSkills International as a Global Industry Partner and Silver Partner for the competition, which will be held in Shanghai, China, from September 22-27.
Through its premium Glasurit refinish brand, Surventis is providing training capabilities, technical expertise and industry knowledge to young professionals preparing to compete in automotive refinishing.
Ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai, competitors and WorldSkills Experts have access to training through Surventis’ global network of Refinish Competence Centers, along with digital learning modules and Refinity webinars.
Refinity is Surventis’ cloud-based digital ecosystem for bodyshops, covering colour management, training, business management and process optimisation. The preparation programs are intended to develop skills in colour management, paint application, productivity and sustainable repair practices.
Participants in more than 20 countries are also training with Glasurit 100 Line, the brand’s waterborne coating system.
Digital learning tools are being combined with expert-led practical programs to provide competitors with experience in efficient and sustainable repair processes. Industry partners including SATA and 3M are also contributing technologies and expertise to the preparation program.
Surventis executive vice president Refinish Coatings Steve Arndt said the skills required by future refinish technicians were expanding beyond traditional paint application expertise.
“Tomorrow’s refinish professionals need more than technical excellence. They must be able to work efficiently, embrace digital tools and contribute to more sustainable repair processes,” Arndt said.
“Through WorldSkills and Glasurit’s training ecosystem, we help young talent develop these capabilities and prepare for successful careers in our industry.”
Arndt said investment in skills development today would help shape the future automotive refinishing workforce.
WorldSkills International CEO David Hoey said preparing young people for future careers also required exposure to technologies transforming their industries.
He said Glasurit’s involvement combined technical expertise with AI and digital tools intended to enhance learning, performance and career readiness.
“Their contribution is helping shape a new generation of skilled professionals ready to lead the automotive refinish industry into the future,” Hoey said.
Surventis is also backing the Sustainable Practice Excellence Award, recognising competitors who combine technical excellence with efficient and responsible working practices.
The WorldSkills partnership comes as bodyshops increasingly require technicians to combine traditional refinishing expertise with digital colour management, productivity tools and more sustainable repair processes.