Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023 - 15

CASF NEWS
CASF Hosts the First French
Edition of the Introduction to
Electroplating Course
BY SRDJAN KNEZEVIC
PRESIDENT OF CASF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROCESS ENGINEERING MANAGER, KUNTZ ELECTROPLATING INC.
E
lectroplaters and their suppliers have often voiced
that education and training opportunities for their
staff are areas where their fellow members can be
of most value. The electroplating and anodising
industry only benefits so much from the theoretical training
most post-secondary programs offer. Courses after entering
the workplace or new to a role within a finishing operation
can fill this gap in learning opportunities.
The CASF board of directors is fortunate to include and
strives to include those within the education sector. As
our colleague Paola Battiston of Ontario's Seneca College
describes, short courses that are industry or sector specific
allow for specific knowledge and skills development. Current
industry needs and changes can be easily adapted to this
format, and allow for a fast turnaround from planning to
hosting the course. Battiston has also led CASF teams
hosting Lunch and Learns at universities and colleges,
something the pandemic cut off but will be of priority in the
near future. Lunch and Learns are a great low-risk, low-time
commitment opportunity for students and recent graduates
to gain information about the types of companies that make
up CASF and the job and career opportunities available in
electroplating and the supply chain.
What must be emphasised is how simple these short
courses and presentations are for those looking to start their
careers and build their network. CASF member companies
can also benefit by building their network with those same
students and new graduates looking to put their potential to
good use, as the career search path does not very easily lead to
surface finishing.
The Introduction to Electroplating Course exists for that
reason. It was last held in November 2022 and CASF plans
the next round to be held in Montreal and for the first time
in the French language. Having this course offered in French
has been a request for some time. Danielle Miousse, process
lead at Tecnickrome Aeronautique, taught the course in the
Greater Toronto Area last November and can attest to this.
Not everyone working in the field can understand English
well enough to attend the course that's held during the fall
CASF Conference. The French language translation that
Danielle has diligently worked on is ready and the course will
be held June 1 and 2, with a second session slated for June 8
and 9.
What must be emphasised is how simple these short
courses and presentations are for those looking to
start their careers and build their network.
No specific training exists in the field of surface finishing
except in English and Danielle's edition will surely provide
a launch into best practices and skills building for those
attending, regardless of their skill level in electrochemistry.
Many companies hire staff without this experience, and they
begin their roles as operators, production staff, and pick up
the skills of electrochemists with hands-on experience. Most
training is done by co-workers that might not have technical
backgrounds and specific knowledge that is as diverse as the
subjects that the course covers.
CASF benefits from the expertise brought by chemists
and engineers like Danielle to teach these courses. The
result is an introduction to practical finishing processes
and the science behind them, regardless of experience or
prior training of the course participants and the roles they
hold in their organisations-whether in lab or process roles,
supervisors, or sales and account management teams-there
is value to be gained. And again, we can't stress enough the
value of networking with your colleagues and competitors in
the finishing industry.
For CASF, having this course in Montreal will show that
the association is not only active in the Toronto area. We
strive to serve members across Canada through regulatory
updates, regulatory guidance and supporting our industry
members by being a point of contact for correspondence with
Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Companies often can't free their staff to attend a course
in the Toronto area for two to three days. Costs become very
high when including travel expenses, the course registration
fee, and the rationing of which staff can attend any given year.
Positioning the course close to finishers in the Montreal area
achieves this goal of serving a greater share of our members
for education and training.
We look forward to repeat editions of both the Introduction
to Electroplating Course in Montreal and again in Ontario
with the goal of hosting the course in Eastern and Western
Canada.
May/June 2023
15
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023

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