Here’s a polished English translation of the Chinese title: **Nippon Paint Obtains School-Running Qualification in Hunan: From Vocational Education to the WorldSkills Stage, Cultivating Talent with a Long-Term Commitment**

ChangshaMay 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In May 2026, as the National Vocational Education Activity Week, themed “A Skill in Hand, A Life Without Worry”^[1], progresses further, Nippon Paint has taken another step forward in the field of skilled talent cultivation. On May 15, Nippon Paint officially obtained a private school license in Hunan, establishing “Changsha Wangcheng District Nippon Paint Licai Vocational Skills Training School Co., Ltd.” This marks another significant milestone in Nippon Paint’s efforts in vocational skills talent cultivation, following its first license acquisition in Shanghai in 2023. It also signifies Nippon Paint’s shift from a single-point approach to regional expansion, extending from corporate training to vocational education, and participating in China’s skilled talent ecosystem in a more systematic and long-term manner.

Currently, vocational skilled talents are becoming a key driving force behind industrial upgrading and the high-quality development of the real economy. For the painting industry, which heavily relies on construction techniques and delivery quality, the final outcome of painting depends not only on the product itself but also on the craftsman’s comprehensive skills in process details, color expression, and on-site management. However, the cultivation of skilled talent in the industry has long faced challenges such as inconsistent standards, fragmented training systems, and unclear career development paths. Nippon Paint has always believed that truly sustainable industry development requires not only high-quality products but also a robust talent system as support. Based on this long-term thinking, Nippon Paint established its Industrial Talent Development Center as early as 2009, continuously investing in curriculum development, skills training, certification evaluation, trainer development, and skills competitions. Nippon Paint has also actively promoted the mutual recognition of national occupational standards and corporate talent standards, becoming one of the first enterprises in Shanghai to implement the “One Exam, Two Certificates” vocational skills comparison recognition system^[2] , and advancing the “One Exam, Two Certificates” certification system across multiple trades, including architectural painting, decorative painting, waterproofing, and flooring.

Building on this foundation, Nippon Paint continues to deepen school-enterprise cooperation, collaborating with numerous vocational colleges nationwide. Through initiatives such as co-building industrial colleges, order-based training, and bringing technical experts into classrooms, Nippon Paint aligns teaching content with industry needs, helping students enhance their practical skills and career competitiveness, and achieving a smooth transition from campus to the workplace. The vocational skills training school established in Changsha, Hunan, reflects Nippon Paint’s precise grasp of regional development momentum. As a key region for national vocational education reform, Hunan has been advancing the “Skill-Strong Province” initiative in recent years, continuously improving the vocational skills level recognition and industrial talent cultivation mechanisms. Changsha, as a major industrial city in central China, has a high demand for talents in architectural decoration, painting construction, and industrial services. Leveraging Hunan’s strong vocational education foundation, Nippon Paint’s school will focus on areas such as architectural painting, decorative painting, construction delivery, and service capabilities, continuously conducting vocational skills training, skill enhancement, and talent cultivation.

Nippon Paint’s investment in skilled talent cultivation in China also extends to the international stage. The WorldSkills Competition, known as the “Olympics” of vocational skills, represents the highest global standards of vocational expertise. As a Platinum Sponsor of the upcoming 48th WorldSkills Competition, Nippon Paint is deeply involved in the full-chain co-building of the “Painting and Decorating” competition project, providing a full set of competition-grade coating products that meet high standards, participating in technical support and material supply. Nippon Paint will also integrate the international standards and practical experience gained from the competition into its vocational education curriculum planning, aligning skilled talent cultivation with global frontiers.

From the establishment of the Industrial Talent Development Center in 2009, to the launch of the Shanghai school in 2023, and the approval of the Changsha school license in 2026; from the domestic “One Exam, Two Certificates” system to deep involvement in the WorldSkills Competition stage, this reflects Nippon Paint’s commitment to long-termism and sustained investment in “talent value.” Nippon Paint will continue to collaborate with governments, educational institutions, industry partners, and skilled talents to jointly advance the construction of a skilled talent cultivation system, injecting more professional strength into the high-quality development of the industry.