Axalta says it understands that the best way to master a craft is to practice it. That’s why it is excited to give the students who attend Drive ONE, a non-profit that provides middle and high school-aged students hands-on automotive industry training, the tools they need to prepare for a career in the automotive industry with the installation of the Axalta paint booth at Drive ONE’s facility. The booth will allow students to learn vital refinishing skills using the same techniques and equipment found in a professional body shop.

Axalta and Drive ONE have partnered on several projects since the school’s inception in 2016 that have exposed the students to automotive design, modelling, color selection and engineering concepts. Drive ONE was responsible for the conceptualization, design and clay modeling of display cars for the launch of Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year 2018 – StarLite and also custom painted a “tickle me pink” pedal car for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s newborn daughter. Drive ONE students presented the car to Earnhardt in front of hundreds of NASCAR fans at one of the world’s largest automotive trade shows, SEMA. This latest collaboration sees Axalta become the Official Paint Partner of Drive ONE Detroit.

Nancy Lockhart, Axalta’s color marketing manager, made the announcement during her keynote speech at the school’s first-ever graduation ceremony on June 22. Lockhart, on behalf of Axalta, presented the school with a check and informed the students that Axalta also will supply professional bodyshop equipment including Cromax EZ, spray guns, safety equipment and more.

“The passion for the automotive industry these students possess is inspiring,” said Lockhart. “Axalta is proud to sponsor Drive ONE and support the next generation of automotive industry designers, engineers, welders, painters and leaders. I can’t wait to see what these students do.”

“The ongoing support Axalta has given Drive ONE is helping us reach and train a generation we call Shop Class 2.0,” said Paul Tregembo Jr., Drive ONE director. “With the addition of the Axalta paint booth, Cromax EZ system and equipment, students will get hands-on with the most up to date refinish practices and skills.”