INDEPENDENCE, KY – Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) announced an agreement with San Diego-based Workshops for Warriors to provide an industrial finishing certificate program for Workshop for Warriors students. The program will be known as the Finishing for Warriors program.  Workshop for Warriors is a is a state-licensed, board-governed, fully audited 501(c)(3) nonprofit school that trains, certifies, and helps veterans, wounded warriors, and transition service members into advanced manufacturing careers. Students earn nationally recognized portable and stackable credentials. 

CCAI has contracted with Rich Saddler of Industrial Finishing Solutions to coordinate the development of the Finishing for Warriors curriculum. Saddler has an extensive background in the industrial finishing industry, including finishing-related positions with Haworth, Steelcase, Herman Miller, George Koch Sons and Abcor Industries. His educational background and industry experience make Saddler the ideal person to coordinate this important project. Saddler is well recognized in the industrial finishing industry, which will be an asset when seeking assistance in key areas for educational information. He commented, "I am honored and excited to be part of this program, bringing finishing knowledge to our veterans. This program is not only providing training to the next generation of finishing professionals but provides exciting career opportunities to veterans transitioning from military to civilian life."

Workshop for Warriors Executive Director of Development, John Jones, commented, “CCAI is an important and valued partner. The ability to implement the industrial surface coating curriculum is very important and desired. This partnership will allow Workshop for Warriors to leverage the CCAI’s experience in creating a solid curriculum and state-of-the-art training facility. We are so excited to have this partnership and to work with such an outstanding group of people. Workshop for Warriors and CCAI will be leading the future in the chemical coating world for veterans.”

The Finishing for Warriors curriculum will include hands-on training to complement classroom lessons. Once veterans complete the course, Workshop for Warriors assists students in finding job placement throughout the United States. “This is exactly the type of education outreach we should be doing as an association,” notes CCAI Executive Director, Anne Goyer. “I constantly hear from members about the difficulty in securing skilled employees. Our goal is for our Finishing for Warriors initiative to help members find the skilled workers they need and allow veterans to build a career.”