Careers Hub - Meet the Industry

Coatings Careers Hub - Meet the industry

Want to learn more about the industry and its opportuntities?

Fostering talent is crucial to the ongoing success and innovation within the coatings industry. In 2024, BCF took significant steps in advancing our Careers Strategy to ensure a robust pipeline of skilled professionals, ready to drive our sector forward. BCF have worked with our Coatings NextGen Council (CNGC) to create a strategy geared towards attracting and retaining the next generation of talent centred around building awareness and expanding partnerships.

‘Coat Your Future’ emphasises the need to inspire the next generation through building awareness to see the coatings industry as a vibrant and rewarding career destination. BCF have been collaborating with career networks at universities to raise awareness of the diverse roles our sector has to offer through attending various careers fairs.

BCF plan to attend 50 events in 2025 with the help of Coatings Ambassadors and Coatings NextGen Council members.

Are you a BCF member and would like to get involved with careers events?

BCF are calling for members to help us engage with young people at careers fairs and providing industry insight, as well as promoting your company. If you able to help, please register at one of our events below or contact Leah for more information.

Ross Ward, CNGC member and Commercial Head of Coatings at BCF Associate member Terrafend:

“Joining the BCF at a careers event was a rewarding experience. I connected with bright, enthusiastic students eager to explore opportunities in our industry. The event was a fantastic platform to showcase the coatings industry and inspire the next generation. I highly recommend other members get involved in future events!”

Upcoming events

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Meet the members:

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How is the industry committed to the future?

Committed to sustainability

BCF’s members’ products – paint, printing inks, wallcoverings, and specialist coatings - are essential to the UK economy. They are all around us. As with all industry in the UK – and globally – our members know they need to do more to help improve the environment, even as they continue to provide products integral to our lives. We are proud of the positive steps we have taken towards greater sustainability over the past couple of decades from substantially reducing our carbon footprint and use of VOCs, to creating less waste and recycling more of what is left rather than sending it to landfill. Moreover, coatings may often be part of a more sustainable solution in themselves: for example, more durable structures need replacing less often; green energy infrastructure like turbines or solar panels need coatings to work effectively; and cleaner, smoother hulls mean ships can move more smoothly through the water, requiring less fuel. BCF is totally committed to help its members achieve Net Zero by 2050. So, in November 2023 it launched a sector-wide ‘Net Zero Roadmap’ along with a practical ‘Quick Start Guide’ to support its members on their individual Net Zero journeys – you can download copies of these documents here.

Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion

Launched in April 2024, BCF's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) Charter is a pledge for ED&I across the UK coatings industry. This Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter reflects the commitment of the UK coatings industry, and signatory companies, to champion equity, diversity and inclusion and to work together to build a more balanced, fair and high-performing sector.Signatory companies recognise that an inclusive workforce is good for business. It brings diversity of thought, innovation, and a positive workforce culture as well as improved customer relationships. Diversity and inclusion are also increasingly important to coatings industry customers, stakeholders and investors. Signatory companies support social mobility and are committed to creating equal opportunities for everyone. They recognise the role our industry can play in creating opportunities and unlocking talent. They understand that embedding an inclusive culture within their own organisations, and collectively within the UK coatings industry, is crucial to unlocking the potential a diverse workforce can offer. It will help develop the next generation of leaders in coatings, make our sector a more attractive career, foster innovation and play a substantial role in the creation of a best-in-class coatings sector in the UK.

Coatings NextGen Council

The Coatings NextGen Council (CNGC) is focused on attracting young people into the coatings industry, understanding the range of careers available and the role of apprenticeships. They also discuss and input into areas of interest i.e. ED&I and sustainability. Through the group, members can have the opportunity to directly influence our careers strategy moving forward.

The CNGC provides opportunities for future leaders to build relationships, expand their industry knowledge, and develop professional and leadership skills, all while supporting BCF and the development of industry standards. Membership is open to BCF member company employees who are age 35 and younger or in their first five years in the industry. Our committee members have a range of experience and come from a wide variety of technical and non-technical industry backgrounds.

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