Last month, staff and leaders from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) and the International Union for Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) convened to renew their longstanding partnership with a goal of increasing quality and public safety.
Led by Bob Chalker, CEO of AMPP, and Jimmy Williams, incoming general president of IUPAT, the meeting revitalized joint efforts halted by the pandemic and resulted in consensus around public policy, education, training, and certification.
“The past year brought significant change for our organizations,” said Chalker. “In January, AMPP was formed when NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings officially merged. At the same time, IUPAT is undergoing changes as incoming General President Williams will officially take control following Ken Rigmaiden’s successful 8-year term. Add the interruption of the pandemic, and we are ready to restore the successful momentum we’d built before March 2020.”
“As a member of IUPAT’s leadership team, I’ve seen the value of this relationship grow over the years,” added Williams. “After hearing our teams discuss ways to maximize benefits to our members and industry, IUPAT is committed to ensuring this partnership continues to thrive in the years ahead.”
One challenge for both organizations is an overall shortage of qualified labor. As the construction industry, government, and public sector face substantial shortages, the teams discussed opportunities to engage and cultivate new talent to increase the number of incoming professionals.
“Right now, there are several open positions in industrial and commercial painting and other finishing trades worldwide,” said Williams. “There is no better time to enter this profession and we want to not only attract new talent, but also set them up for a successful career through continued learning and training. Working with AMPP is key to ensuring our industrial and commercial painters are qualified and have the best opportunity to pursue meaningful and long-lasting careers.”
“Whether it’s working together to ensure public safety through legislation, or to train and certify quality paint and coating professionals, AMPP and IUPAT are dedicated to reaching common goals,” Chalker concluded. “We look forward to working together for many years to come.”
About AMPP
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is focused on the protection of assets and the performance of industrial and natural materials. AMPP was established in 2021 following a merger between NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings. The new association unites 145 years of corrosion control and protective coatings expertise and service to industry and members worldwide. Today, AMPP is the world’s largest corrosion control and protective coatings organization serving more than 40,000 members in 130 countries. AMPP is headquartered in the United States with offices in Houston and Pittsburgh, and additional offices in Brazil, Canada, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and a training center in Dubai.
For more information, contact: AMPP, www.ampp.org
About IUPAT
Represents a growing community of over 140,000 active and retired craftspeople in the United States and Canada. The IUPAT membership extends far beyond the workplace. Recognized as one of the most active unions in the labor movement, IUPAT members help shape their communities in many ways: through an abiding commitment to service, by fighting passionately for workers’ rights that benefit all working families, and through effective worker education and mobilization.
For more information, contact: IUPAT, www.iupat.org