BASF Coatings ace gathers valuable experience “down under” – Become a member of the “Best Team”

Few young people are aware of the diverse career opportunities and options for the future that await them once they have trained to be automotive refinishers. The end of their training can be the beginning to a whole new world of opportunities. This is the case for Hendrik Pitzer, 22, a BASF Coatings automotive refinisher. After wrapping up his training, he booked a flight – to a foreign adventure in Australia. His destination is Adelaide, a coastal city in southern Australia. Thanks to a referral by BASF Coatings, he will be spending 10 months as an automotive refinisher in an Australian bodyshop, miles away from home.

During his training at BASF Coatings in Münster-Hiltrup, Hendrik learned how to handle automotive coatings, practicing on panels, car bodies and model units, proving his skills as an automotive refinisher. He did a two-year accelerated training program, successfully completing his final exam this past July. When it comes to his career, Hendrik knows exactly what he wants. "My goal is to become a Global Trainer. To do this, I need to get experience working abroad." The Global Trainer is a crucial hub in BASF Coatings’ global network. He or she comes up with the right solutions and trains and develops employees all over the world. "The idea of working abroad and the initial contact to Australia came about from BASF," says Hendrik.

"If you dare to take the step to work abroad early on in your career, you will not only give your career path a unique edge, but will also gain technical qualifications," says Urban Johansson, head of the Coatings Refinish Academy. "The experience in Australia is crucial for Hendrik’s career goal." For Johansson, supporting talent is a way of implementing BASF’s strategy, "We form the best team in industry". "Hendrik Pitzer’s qualification is proof that this goal is being implemented," says Johansson.

Hendrik has an exciting time to look forward to. In Australia, he will use his know-how and his craftsmanship at a bodyshop for vehicles involved in insurance claims. He will be welcomed in Adelaide by a 23-member team in early November. To ensure there will be no communication gaps at the bodyshop, Hendrik took a BASF Coatings English course. "Next year I plan to return to Germany to start preparing for the exam as master automotive refinisher," Hendrik says. "But for now, I’m looking forward to my stay in Adelaide."