Raytheon partners with Axalta
Raytheon Professional Services has joined forces with Axalta Coatings Systems on its paint and refinish apprenticeship programme for bodyshops.
Anthony Cashel, marketing manager for Axalta Coating Systems in the UK and Ireland, said, ‘We approached Raytheon because it has a huge amount of experience in training and also working with the automotive industry. This combination made it the ideal partner to help make the apprenticeship programme for the UK bodyshops stand out from the rest.’
The Axalta paint and refinish apprenticeship programme has been designed to help apprentices working in bodyshops develop valuable new skills, techniques and technology expertise that will help them to work quickly and productively.
‘Apprentices on the programme are trained to use some of the latest products and equipment at our state-of-the-art training academy in Welwyn Garden City. They are also mentored at their place of work by dedicated Raytheon development coaches who regularly assess their work and offer help and advice. This ensures us that the apprentices are obtaining the required level of learning needed to qualify to government standards,’ said Cashel.
The three-year programme gives apprentices the opportunity to achieve level two and three full framework qualifications. In the third year they are also assessed for ATA at senior paint technician level.
‘We believe the training we are providing to bodyshop apprentices will meet and exceed industry requirements for today’s technicians,’ said Cashel. ‘They should then be able to fill skills gaps in the workforce, and introduce in the bodyshops in which they work new techniques and technology that are designed to increase productivity and to help provide a competitive edge.’
