COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS ATTEND PPG TRAINING

(May 1, 2009)... On April 16 and 17, ten juniors in the Collision Repair Technology (CRT) program area at the Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC) had the opportunity to attend advanced training in PPG Deltron/DBC Refinishing at the PPG Research Center in Allison Park, PA.  This type of training is required in order to obtain the PPG Certification (Blue Level).

The students traveled with ICTC instructor, Mr. Mike Miller.  During the training, PPG professional technicians instructed the ICTC students.  The students received basic theory and hands-on training in repair and refinishing and were critiqued by PPG professionals.  The students are given proper instruction on personal protection equipment which includes fresh air supply respirators and paint suits like the one the students are wearing in the photograph.  In order to be eligible to attend the two day training, students had to maintain a “B” average in their CRT program while maintaining good grades, attendance and discipline at their home schools as well.  Those attending the training this year were, Bryan Chappell, Indiana; Andrew Fiechuk, Indiana; Megan Hall, Saltsburg; Lacey Hamilton, United; Devin Minto, Marion Center; Calvin Rebovich, Homer Center; Samuel Scaife, Purchase Line; Alexander Stachurski, Indiana; Nolan Stiles, Marion Center; and Shane Taylor, Marion Center.

This unique secondary PPG program offered at the ICTC is the first program of its kind in the United States.  The PPG certification is a professional entry-level certification which gives students at the ICTC the ability to earn their professional certificates while still in high school.  When asked about the program, Nolan Stiles commented, “The trip to PPG was a great learning experience for me.  I had an opportunity to learn the skills I need to further my education.”

###