DIYWEEK.net

The paint brand will officially open the doors to its latest Academy at Leeds College of Building on Monday, June 17.

Located at the UK’s only dedicated building college, the new Academy site is part of a national drive by Dulux Academy to upskill 10,000 professionals by 2020 across the country.

Speeches will be made to gathered business partners and industry guests by Dulux Academy skill development consultant Mark Rigby, Leeds College of Building principal Derek Whitehead, and assistant faculty director Steve Connell.

Following this, the new facilities will be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guest tours, and photo opportunities with College and Dulux Academy representatives, students, and the famous Dulux dog.

The new Dulux Academy will offer decorators a wide range of courses, industry demonstrations, and workshops to enhance the new Painting & Decorating Department at the college. With 30 painting and spraying bays and 20 wallpapering bays (all 3m x 2m), the faculty is now thought to be one of the biggest training facilities in the country.

In April, Dulux parent, Akzo Nobel celebrated the third anniversary of the Academy concept and its flagship training facility at the head office in Slough. Speaking to DIY Week on the day, Academy lead Vickie Mather explained the Academy was operating out of 10 centres, with "one in Wales opening imminently.”

She said the initiative has now trained more than 5,500 trade professionals through the Academy, which means it is well on track for its target of 10,000 by the end of next year.