MUNICH, Germany – WACKER, the Munich-based chemical group, is expanding the curriculum of its international training and competence centers and will offer more interdisciplinary courses this year. The ongoing content-specific and strategic changes are reflected in the centers’ new name: the WACKER ACADEMY. These centers are not only an ideal platform for advanced training, but also offer sector-specific networking between customers, distribution partners and WACKER specialists. WACKER ACADEMY sites have already opened in Germany, Russia, China and India, with more to follow in 2010.

 

WACKER ACADEMY’s motto is “Learning from the past for the future.” The academy will work to integrate the group’s knowledge and expertise into a unique concept for specialized training courses. The emphasis remains on comprehensive construction-chemicals training, which, in addition to polymer chemistry, now also covers subjects related to silicone applications.

 

The expanded program has more interdisciplinary training such as seminars on energy-efficient building and masonry protection. In addition, specialized chemistry courses for other sectors, such as the cosmetics and paint industries, will be offered. The course program is rounded out by an introduction to business administration, intercultural cooperation and the productive use of e-business tools.

 

In early 2007, WACKER first officially opened a training center under the name VINNAPAS® Academy. Its purpose was to offer an array of advanced training courses related to VINNAPAS dispersions and dispersible polymer powders for employees, customers and partners. Because demand for these courses is rising, WACKER has decided to broaden the centers’ curriculum to include other areas of group expertise. As a market leader, WACKER set up the new WACKER ACADEMY to convey its years of knowledge and expertise in research, development and product applications. Seminars will be led by in-house and external experts, as well as university lecturers.

 

All WACKER ACADEMY training and competence centers are directly affiliated with a WACKER technical center. The proximity to development and test laboratories promotes the active exchange of expertise and gives participants access to onsite tours and testing. In addition, the collaboration with in-house research facilities, universities and institutes ensures that the seminars always reflect the very latest scientific findings. WACKER ACADEMY sites have already opened in Burghausen (Germany), Moscow (Russia), Beijing (China) and Mumbai (India). More training centers are set to open in 2010, including locations in Singapore, Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Allentown, PA.