The partnership is focused on addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the industrial finishing and coating industry: building a sustainable workforce pipeline for the future. Through this collaboration, CCAI and Runwayz aim to increase awareness of careers in industrial finishing, connect employers with emerging talent earlier in their career journeys, and support long-term workforce development across the industry.

A core component of the Runwayz platform is its intelligent matchmaking capability, which identifies talent that might otherwise overlook the finishing sector. Rather than functioning as a traditional job board, Runwayz provides an integrated experience that allows users to explore careers, build profiles and resumes, and connect directly with employers, apprenticeships, training programs, and mentors. The platform is designed to engage students early, before career decisions are finalized, and guide them toward hands-on, in-demand career opportunities.

On the flip side, the platform allows employers to create their own company profiles, showcase career opportunities within industrial finishing, and connect with students who are exploring skilled trade and manufacturing careers. CCAI has several pilot partners that will provide feedback to help shape the platform to better meet the needs of the finishing and coating industry.

“Our industry is the 'hidden gem' of manufacturing, requiring a unique blend of technical knowledge and a high level of precision,” said Anne Goyer, CCAI executive director. “By working with Runwayz, we are reaching students who value these traits and showing them how they lead to successful, long-term careers. This collaboration allows us to broaden our reach and show students exactly what steps they can take through CCAI resources and member company offerings to find their place in our industry.”

Key Benefits of the Collaboration:

• Pathway Discovery: Matchmaking that connects existing interests and traits like precision to relevant roles in finishing.
• The "Whole Human" Profile: Empowering talent to showcase a mix of technical achievements and essential durable skills in one verified portfolio.
• Industry Navigation: Providing a clear roadmap for students to access CCAI member resources and professional development.
• Streamlined Workforce Connection: Reducing the friction in pipeline development so CCAI member companies can engage with "best-fit" talent earlier.

“This partnership aligns directly with CCAI’s mission to support the long-term health and growth of the industrial finishing industry,” Goyer continued. “By working with Runwayz, we are helping to introduce a new generation to careers in finishing and coating while giving our members new tools to engage with future talent.”

As part of the initiative, CCAI and Runwayz will work together to evaluate pilot results, refine engagement strategies, and explore future opportunities to expand awareness and access to careers in industrial finishing. Additional details about the partnership and opportunities for CCAI members to participate will be shared as the program progresses and will be featured at CCAI’s 2026 Annual Meeting at the end of May.

About Runwayz
Runwayz is the career navigation platform for early and emerging talent. By taking a whole-human approach to skill tracking and professional identity, Runwayz helps students discover their path into the workforce and helps industries build sustainable, verified talent pipelines. Learn more at https://www.runwayz.com/.

CCAI Launches the EDGE Leadership Training Program to Strengthen Workforce Retention and Leadership Capacity Across the Finishing Industry

The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) announces the launch of its EDGE Leadership Training Program, a new leadership development initiative designed specifically for the finishing and manufacturing sectors. The program equips rising and mid‑level management personnel with the tools needed to build high‑performing teams, improve communication, strengthen problem-solving capabilities, and increase operational excellence.

Developed in partnership with Tom Morrison & Associates, EDGE provides world‑class leadership content from Tom Morrison, The Corps Group and Dr. Rick Marks. Participants engage in several multi‑session experiences throughout the year, once per quarter, featuring plant tours, a series of workshops, strategic planning development, and emotional intelligence training, culminating in a Leadership Development Plan to be presented at the 2027 CCAI Annual Meeting.

Industry research strongly supports the need and return on investment for leadership development:

• McKinsey finds that leadership behaviors directly influence psychological safety, innovation, and team performance.
• A 2023 cross‑industry study shows that each dollar invested in leadership development returns an average of $7, driven by improved retention, internal promotions, and increased revenue contribution.

“This program is exclusively for our members,” notes CCAI Executive Director Anne Goyer. “The EDGE Leadership Program gives CCAI’s members a strategic advantage in today’s labor environment, and it’s exactly the type of program many of our members have been asking for. Leadership training reduces turnover, builds stronger teams, and empowers employees to stay and grow. It’s the type of program our members need.” The first session of The Edge Management Training Program launches in July 2026 with additional sessions in November 2026, March 2027, and a graduation at the 2027 CCAI Annual Meeting.

For complete details about the EDGE program, visit www.ccaiweb.com/EDGE. Registration is set to open in March. Registrants must participate in all sessions to graduate. Join CCAI as we develop tomorrow’s leaders today! Not a CCAI member? CLICK HERE for information on how to become a member today and select the membership type that best fits your needs!

CCAI FEF’s mission is to support education and training programs that improve skills at all levels within the industrial finishing industry, benefiting the industry today while building a strong foundation for the future. The Foundation’s primary programs include its Summer Industrial Finishing Camps, the Elizabeth Teska Women in Finishing FORUM Scholarship Program, and the Matt Heuertz Scholarship Program. Together, these initiatives engage the next generation of finishing professionals, support underrepresented groups, and invest in individuals who have already chosen careers in industrial finishing.

Among the recent contributions, CCAI FEF received a $125,000 unrestricted gift from CCAI. “CCAI’s contribution to the Finishing Education Foundation demonstrates our commitment to education and training in the finishing industry,” said Anne Goyer, Executive Director of CCAI. “By investing in the Foundation, we are helping ensure the continued development of a skilled workforce that will sustain and advance our industry.”

The PPG Foundation has also awarded CCAI FEF a $20,000 follow-on grant to support the

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continued growth and development of the Summer Industrial Finishing Camp Program. The PPG

Foundation has played a major role in its expansion over the past three years, increasing the number of camps, geographic reach, and students introduced to careers in industrial finishing.

“The PPG Foundation’s continued support of the finishing camp program aligns well with our goals to help students build practical, job-ready and technology-enabled abilities across skilled trades fields,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility. “The PPG Foundation shares the focus of the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation to provide programs that help individuals build the skills they need to step into high-demand modern manufacturing careers and to succeed in today’s workplaces.

Additional recent contributions include an unrestricted commitment of $25,000 over five years from GAT Finishing Systems, a $4,500 grant from the Towsley Foundation in support of the 2026 Summer Industrial Finishing Camp to be held at DeWys Manufacturing in Marne, Michigan, and a $500 donation from The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle supporting this year’s finishing camp at the State College of Florida.

Sames continues its support of the Matt Heuertz Scholarship Program through a $2,500 contribution to the Bob Warren Award, which recognizes and assists students pursuing academics that could lead to a career in industrial finishing.

“These generous contributions are vital to our ability to continue fulfilling our mission and expanding our programs,” said Sheila LaMothe, Executive Director of CCAI Finishing Education Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to each of these organizations for their investment in education, workforce development, and the future of the industrial finishing industry.”

For more information about CCAI Finishing Education Foundation and its programs, visit www.finishingfoundation.org.

Designed to support and inspire women at all career stages across the finishing industry, the WiF FORUM blends professional development with industry-focused learning through a dynamic mix of sessions, tours, and networking opportunities. The event is open to all women, from the finishing line to executive management, who are looking to strengthen their professional skills, expand their networks, and gain fresh insight into the latest trends in finishing.

The 2026 program features presentations on building stronger internal teams to break down silos, practical ways to integrate AI tools for greater efficiency, and a forward-looking session on an all-electric paint line that highlights the industry’s sustainability momentum.

Attendees will also gain leadership and career development insights from a 20+ year PPG executive who shares real-world lessons on turning failure into growth, advocating for oneself, and building visibility. The My Journey to Leadership panel will further explore diverse career paths and the challenges and opportunities women encounter along the way.

A plant tour of PPG Coatings Services will provide a first-hand look at multiple finishing and coating processes in action. A charitable, team-building activity and several networking events round out the experience, creating meaningful opportunities for connection and collaboration.

WiF FORUM participants consistently walk away with new strategies to enhance effectiveness in their roles and an expanded network of peers who share their passion for finishing.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering organizations a chance to support women’s advancement in the industry while gaining visibility among engaged professionals. Review available sponsorships here: www.womeninfinishing.org/sponsor.

In addition, the Elizabeth Teska WiF FORUM Scholarship Program is accepting applications and nominations through March 16, 2026. The scholarship honors the memory of one of WiF’s first official members and covers registration fees and accommodations costs for selected recipients. To nominate or apply, visit https://www.ccaiweb.com/page/WiFForumScholarship.

To view the full schedule, learn more, or register, visit www.womeninfinishing.org/forum.

About Women in Finishing                                                                                                    Powered by the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI), Women in Finishing (WiF) provides a platform that fosters professional and personal development for women who have chosen or are pursuing a career in the industrial finishing industry. WiF is inclusive of all levels and responsibilities within the finishing industry, from the finishing line to executive management. For more information, visit www.womeninfinishing.org.