The CCAI Finishing Education Foundation (CCAI FEF) has received a grant from the PPG Foundation to support its summer finishing camp initiative. In collaboration with the Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs Foundation (NBT), CCAI FEF has worked to bring industrial finishing to NBT’s highly successful summer manufacturing camp program.

Held at technical colleges and universities, the week-long camps aim to introduce students aged 11-17 to industrial finishing and the wide range of career opportunities it offers. Camp directors follow a finishing-focused curriculum developed by CCAI FEF and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI). Each camp includes:
• An overview of many facets of finishing including powder coating, liquid coating, electrocoating, pretreatment, curing, and masking.
• Videos and hands-on activities to provide additional explanation of curriculum concepts for increased comprehension.
• Plant tours which enable campers to see real world finishing operations and offer hands-on experiences including part hanging, part cleaning, and powder coating.
• A color themed project introduces campers to another aspect of the finishing industry – color trends and theory.
• Guest speakers with diverse finishing experience that share their career journeys and engage campers in discussions about the industry and the opportunities it offers.

“With an industry-wide shortage of employees, the camps have drawn significant attention from the finishing community,” states Sheila LaMothe, CCAI FEF executive director.  “The camps present an opportunity to show the next generation the benefits of a career in finishing which has resulted in a desire to increase the number of camps nationwide,” she adds.

In response to the industry’s call to grow the program, CCAI FEF applied for a grant from the PPG Foundation. “Receipt of this generous grant from the PPG Foundation means we will be able to expand the program in year two, faster and more  than expected. The grant will provide funding for start-up and operational expenses for three new camps beginning in 2024,” explains LaMothe. A total of four industrial finishing focused camps were held in Summer 2023: two at the State College of Florida (Bradenton, FL), one at Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS) and one at Triton College (River Grove, IL). It is anticipated that a minimum of eight finishing camps will be held in Summer 2024.

“We understand the importance of providing students with a hands-on, practical education that arms them with the advanced skills needed for career placements in technical and STEM- related fields,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation, and corporate global social responsibility. “The PPG Foundation is proud to partner with CCAI FEF to help grow the summer camp and open the door to a vast range of career possibilities.”