Building materials manufacturer Knauf Aquapanel is expanding its seminar and event program. The company is responding to growing demand for practical further education in the construction industry. The focus is on topics such as drywall construction, plastering techniques, and priming of substrates.
Knauf is expanding its offerings through training centers and online formats. The seminars are aimed at painters, plasterers, and drywall installers. In addition to traditional in-person events, the company is increasingly focusing on digital learning formats. This makes it easier for construction firms to integrate training into their daily work.
The strategy behind this is clear: training specialists binds them long-term to your own products and systems. Knauf positions itself not just as a supplier, but as a knowledge partner. The model follows the example of other building materials companies like Sto SE or Caparol, which have been relying on academy programs for years.
For painting contractors, this means concrete access to manufacturer-supported know-how for new systems and materials. Especially with complex applications such as textured plaster or special insulation solutions, training can prevent errors and increase application quality. In addition, certified further education often fulfills requirements for master craftsman continuing education.
The downside: manufacturer training is rarely neutral. It imparts expertise, but always with an eye to its own portfolio. Businesses should therefore use the offering strategically – as a supplement to independent training, not as a replacement. Those who specialize in one manufacturer can benefit from it. Those who want to remain broadly positioned must tap other sources as well.
The expanded program also shows how much the industry is suffering from skilled labor shortage. Manufacturers are investing in training because qualified processors directly ensure product quality on the job site. Faulty application leads to complaints and reputational damage – regardless of whether the material itself was in order.
Knauf is thus joining a trend: building materials companies are becoming educational providers. For the trades, this means more choice in training, but also the need to critically examine which content is truly relevant to practice. Details on the program can be found on the Knauf website.
In parallel, the company is under scrutiny in other areas: an EU complaint against gypsum mining shows that sustainability issues are increasingly coming into focus – a topic that is likely to be more strongly anchored in training programs in the future.