The best way to master a craft is to practice it.
That’s why Axalta said it’s excited to install a paint booth at the Drive ONE TechCenter in Detroit MI, allowing students to learn refinishing skills using the same techniques and equipment found in professional body shops.
Drive ONE is a non-profit vocational education facility that provides middle- and high school-age students hands-on training, giving them the tools they need to prepare for a career in the automotive industry.
“The passion for the automotive industry these students possess is inspiring,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta’s color marketing manager. “Axalta is proud to sponsor Drive ONE and support the next generation of automotive industry designers, engineers, welders, painters and leaders.
“I can’t wait to see what these students do.”
Axalta and Drive ONE previously partnered on several projects that exposed the students to automotive design, modelling, color selection and engineering concepts.
Drive ONE was responsible for the conceptualization, design and clay modeling of display cars for the launch of Starlite, Axalta’s 2018 Automotive Color of the Year, and Drive ONE students also custom painted a tickle-me-pink pedal car for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s daughter.
They presented the car to Earnhardt in front of hundreds of NASCAR fans at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas NV.
This latest collaboration makes Axalta the official paint partner of Drive ONE Detroit.
Lockhart recently made the announcement during her keynote speech at the school’s first graduation ceremony. On behalf of Axalta, she presented the school with a check and informed students Axalta also will supply professional body shop equipment, including Cromax EZ, spray guns and safety equipment.
“The on-going support Axalta has given Drive ONE is helping us reach and train a generation we call Shop Class 2.0,” said Paul Tregembo Jr., Drive ONE’s director. “With the addition of the Axalta paint booth, Cromax EZ system and equipment, students will get hands-on with the most up-to-date refinish practices and skills.”