Prep to Finish Paint Training Workshops

[Scott B.]

I am posting this in the S & D area, because it seems like the most appropriate area. (Moderators, feel free to relocate if there is a better spot).

I wanted to make sure that all FOG members are aware of Prep to Finish, which is a hands on paint industry training program that Todd Pudvar and I launched in January of 2013.

We started the program due to the profound lack of young people entering the trades in general and the paint trade in particular. Most contractors have trouble finding young talent, and meanwhile, the unemployment rate for kids graduating vocational programs is 3 times as high as the general population. Prep to Finish ran a pilot program this year working with dozens of students in three different high school vocational programs. For 2014, we will be expanding the reach of the vocational program for kids.

Also, in 2014 we are offering a limited number of private training workshops for adult learners. The private training workshops will be held in our own shop facilities in Vermont.

The following link will take you to a page showing a list of workshop topics and descriptions:

http://preptofinish.com/paint-contractor-training/

You can navigate around our website and see everything that we have done this year, and learn all about us. The Training Videos section of the site seems to be especially popular.

Dates for private workshops in 2014 will be announced this month. I will be sure to update this thread in case any FOG members are interested.

This curriculum is intended for all who are involved in painting and/or finish work: Painters, remodelers, cabinet finishers, woodworkers, advanced hobbyists, etc.

Festool is one of several paint industry manufacturers who sponsor and endorse the Prep to Finish training program.

If you would like to be kept up to speed with what we do (you know us, we do lots of stuff), here are our social media links:

https://www.facebook.com/painttraining

https://twitter.com/PreptoFinish



Please feel free to hit me up with any questions you may have about Prep to Finish.

Thanks!

 

[Sparktrician]

EXCELLENT!!!  About time!!! 

[thumbs up]  [smile]

 

[Scott B.]

EXCELLENT!!!  About time!!! 

[thumbs up]   [smile]

Thanks and I agree! We spent most of 2012 researching, studying the viability of vocational outreach and putting the infrastructure under it. We are psyched for 2014!

 

[dicktill]

Hi Scott,

These are great! Any chance of "less intensive", shorter classes for hobbyists?

Thanks, Dick

 

[Scott B.]

Hi Scott,

These are great! Any chance of "less intensive", shorter classes for hobbyists?

Thanks, Dick

Dick

Yes, we definitely want to make the workshop content accessible to each person and group. We are limiting the groups to 5-6 participants for that reason.

The Intro workshop is a general overview of finishing that would be very appropriate for hobbyists.

It is this one: http://preptofinish.com/prep-to-finish-training-001/

I am glad you asked, because we want to be clear that a lot of overcoming finishing challenges is about simply developing good finish habits and sticking with them.

Most of the high end, tweaky stuff we do professionally is really accomplished through pretty simple habits and processes. We want finishing to be less complicated.

We are making a point that when people inquire or send a registration request through the site, that we get a good snapshot of what level they are at, and what problems they are looking to solve. Our format is very customizable to meet individual needs, and in a way that benefits a small group.

We also have a Build Your Own Workshop option for small groups that share the same learning interests.

Thanks for asking

 

[dicktill]

Hi Scott,

These are great! Any chance of "less intensive", shorter classes for hobbyists?

Thanks, Dick

Dick

Yes, we definitely want to make the workshop content accessible to each person and group. We are limiting the groups to 5-6 participants for that reason.

The Intro workshop is a general overview of finishing that would be very appropriate for hobbyists.

It is this one: http://preptofinish.com/prep-to-finish-training-001/

I am glad you asked, because we want to be clear that a lot of overcoming finishing challenges is about simply developing good finish habits and sticking with them.

Most of the high end, tweaky stuff we do professionally is really accomplished through pretty simple habits and processes. We want finishing to be less complicated.

We are making a point that when people inquire or send a registration request through the site, that we get a good snapshot of what level they are at, and what problems they are looking to solve. Our format is very customizable to meet individual needs, and in a way that benefits a small group.

We also have a Build Your Own Workshop option for small groups that share the same learning interests.

Thanks for asking

Thanks Scott. Yes I'd like to take a course like that (probably 2 day) in the spring or summer. Where are you located in Vermont? (I used to live in Proctorsville.)

 

[CarolinaNomad]

I'm in for the Turbine Training Class and the AAA class.  Well not the alcohol anonymous association class.  Unless it's a night class at the local pub.

 

[Scott B.]

Hi Scott,

These are great! Any chance of "less intensive", shorter classes for hobbyists?

Thanks, Dick

Dick

Yes, we definitely want to make the workshop content accessible to each person and group. We are limiting the groups to 5-6 participants for that reason.

The Intro workshop is a general overview of finishing that would be very appropriate for hobbyists.

It is this one: http://preptofinish.com/prep-to-finish-training-001/

I am glad you asked, because we want to be clear that a lot of overcoming finishing challenges is about simply developing good finish habits and sticking with them.

Most of the high end, tweaky stuff we do professionally is really accomplished through pretty simple habits and processes. We want finishing to be less complicated.

We are making a point that when people inquire or send a registration request through the site, that we get a good snapshot of what level they are at, and what problems they are looking to solve. Our format is very customizable to meet individual needs, and in a way that benefits a small group.

We also have a Build Your Own Workshop option for small groups that share the same learning interests.

Thanks for asking

Thanks Scott. Yes I'd like to take a course like that (probably 2 day) in the spring or summer. Where are you located in Vermont? (I used to live in Proctorsville.)

Dick

We are in Jericho, which is northern Vt, Burlington area.

Glad to hear that you are interested in a 2 day intro level workshop. We will be hammering out dates soon, at least for the winter and spring offerings. Stay tuned!

Thanks

 

[Scott B.]

I'm in for the Turbine Training Class and the AAA class.  Well not the alcohol anonymous association class.  Unless it's a night class at the local pub.

CN

Thanks for your interest. It seems that the HVLP and aaa workshops are popular topics. We hope to remove some of the mystery and guesswork from each.

We don't do alcohol counseling, but we may pass you a cold beer at the end of the day.  [big grin]

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm in for the Turbine Training Class and the AAA class.  Well not the alcohol anonymous association class.  Unless it's a night class at the local pub.

CN

Thanks for your interest. It seems that the HVLP and aaa workshops are popular topics. We hope to remove some of the mystery and guesswork from each.

We don't do alcohol counseling, but we may pass you a cold beer at the end of the day.  [big grin]

Hmmm...  I look at "alcohol counseling" as knowing which local beers are really good. 

[big grin]

 

[Scott B.]

I'm in for the Turbine Training Class and the AAA class.  Well not the alcohol anonymous association class.  Unless it's a night class at the local pub.

CN

Thanks for your interest. It seems that the HVLP and aaa workshops are popular topics. We hope to remove some of the mystery and guesswork from each.

We don't do alcohol counseling, but we may pass you a cold beer at the end of the day.  [big grin]

Hmmm...  I look at "alcohol counseling" as knowing which local beers are really good. 

[big grin]

Thats just plain hospitality! The microbrews are always an attraction for folks travelling through these parts...

 

[jeep jake]

looks cool any plans on coming to chicago?

 

[Scott B.]

looks cool any plans on coming to chicago?

Thanks Jake. At this point, no plans for Chicago. Anything can happen, though.

 

[tjbnwi]

You have to come to Chicago. You can set up here.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

You have to come to Chicago. You can set up here.

Tom

I've never been to Chicago, Tom. I really appreciate your stance on this matter and will make sure the offer stands on the PtF radar.

Why would Chicago be a critical destination??

[big grin] [scared]

 

[peter halle]

Not speaking for Tom here, but there is a large contingent of Chicago area members here,  Chicago has a high end market, Chicago is close to Indy, and doesn't Chicago have a Festool Paint RSM?

Nice piggy back situation.

Just my thoughts.

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

Not speaking for Tom here, but there is a large contingent of Chicago area members here,  Chicago has a high end market, Chicago is close to Indy, and doesn't Chicago have a Festool Paint RSM?

Nice piggy back situation.

Just my thoughts.

Peter

Very duly noted, Peter. There is a handful of paint contractors in the Chicago area who have expressed the same sentiments. It'd be nice to do a vocational school with kids and an adult program in one fell swoop. I guess we shall see how good our contacts can be...and the power of social media!

 

[tjbnwi]

You have to come to Chicago. You can set up here.

Tom

.

Why would Chicago be a critical destination??

[big grin] [scared]

To meet me, what other reason does there need to be ???

I'll drive you own to bug Shane and Sedge.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Schedule update / January workshop date added:

http://preptofinish.com/2014-prep-to-finish-private-training/

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi Scott,

I have enjoyed and benefited from reading your posts, and online articles.  I am a part time cabinet maker interested in improving my finishing abiliities.  I hope to be able to attend one of your classes in the spring or summer (I live in relatively nearby Nova Scotia). 

I recently purchased an Earlex 5500 HVLP.  I hope this was a good choice.  I plan to spray both SW W and W and SW Cashmere for painted finishes.  For a clearcoat I am planning on using General Finishes Enduro Var.  I hope these are good choices.

Thanks again Scott.

Brian
Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada