PRA Announces Professional Accreditation for Training Courses at Surfex

PRA (Paint Research Association) is pleased to announce that PRA Training can now be used as part of the formal application process for internationally recognised professional qualifications in surface coatings technology. OCCA (Oil and Colour Chemists' Association) has accredited PRA Training courses, which are designed to support individual learning at both Foundation and Professional levels.

For many years PRA has run training courses at its facilities in South West London, as well as tailored in-company programmes, which are widely respected throughout the World. Content covered at Foundation level will now be recognised by OCCA for Licentiate (LTSC) professional grade applications and Professional level courses will assist applicants for Associate (ATSC) grade. All PRA courses will be accepted as evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) by OCCA:

 

PRA Foundation Training Courses

PRA Professional Training Courses

 

Commenting on this new formal link with OCCA, Jonathan Bourne, Managing Director PRA, said,

"There is a real need in our industry for companies to be able to attract and retain talented technical people, wherever they are operating around the World. It makes sense to have one globally recognised professional qualification in paint and ink related technology that everyone can aspire to and OCCA provides that framework. At PRA we are committed to maintaining the very highest standards and especially to fostering the development of surface coating formulation knowledge and skills".

Chris Pacey-Day, General Secretary of OCCA said,

"We are delighted to approve PRA Training and are confident that this important step will affirm the professionalism of scientists and technologists in surface coatings. The training provided by PRA has been accepted by the industry for well over half a century, and, through this initiative, now offers a fully integrated programme of career development. We are delighted to be able to accredit it, and provide recognition for its graduates through our long standing professional qualifications. OCCA assessments are unique career milestones in the technology of surface coatings, and professional qualifications held under it are fully transferable. Accreditation of PRA Training makes OCCA Professional Grade membership even more accessible and recognised throughout the World of surface coatings. As a charity founded to promote education and learning in our industry, this initiative with PRA is core to our mission."

Also new from PRA

PRA is promoting its recently published Irfab Multi-client Study on Global Industrial Coatings Markets 2006-2020. This extensive survey is the first of its kind on industrial coatings and provides a unique source of data and insight on this broad and fragmented sector. PRA acquired Irfab Chemical Consultants, based in Brussels, in July 2007 and is committed to maintaining the same established quality and depth of market investigations.

The recent partnership with the PERA Innovation Network is also featured, which provides PRA clients with an integrated approach to grant funded, collaborative R&D projects effectively extending research capacity and creating new supply chains.

For further information contact Susan Conyers at: s.conyers@pra-world.com

www.pra-world.com
www.occa.org.uk

 

PRA Press Release, 2 June 2008

London, UK