Training Time in Texas
In July, I traveled to San Antonio to meet with industry suppliers and dealers ahead of the 21st Annual International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (WFCT). Then, from September 14-16, we all took part in the most expansive WFCT to date—fitting for Texas. I make my way back to the Lone Star State to observe and cover Autobahn Window Films’ efforts to construct a more-skilled labor force for dealers to pull from.
As detailed in Training Day: Cultivating Next-Gen Installers and Practicing for Perfection: Trainees Shadow PPF Veterans, a 100-foot roll of film and a squeaky-clean squeegee are of no use without experienced, agile applicators. Key industry suppliers and companies combat the need with training programs for beginners and experts alike.
Brodie Mathews (bottom center), owner of DeCo Tint and Tint America in Arvada, Colo., taught a class at Autobahn Window Films’ headquarters.
Eastman Performance Films, Madico, Ceramic Pro, 3M, XPEL, Avery Dennison, STEK USA, Global Hi-Tech Films, The Tintstitute and Auto Film Mastery seek to bridge the skills gap and elevate both rookies and veterans.
Autobahn Window Films recently began a series of training courses led by industry veterans such as Mel Villalon of Paradise Tinting in Long Beach, Calif.; Johnny ‘Blades’ Gonzalez of Texas Heat Tint in Huffman, Texas; Brodie Mathews, owner of DeCo Tint and Tint America in Arvada, Colo; and industry trainer Marco Cazorla.
Learning from Legends
Long-time industry professionals will host several Autobahn Window Films’ training sessions in Houston.
Architectural Window Tint Training (November 30 – December 2, 2022)
Hosted by Johnny ‘Blades’ Gonzalez
HoustonAutomotive Window Tint Training (December 7 – 9, 2022)
Hosted by RL Villalon
HoustonAutomotive Window Tint Training (December 12 – 14, 2022)
Hosted by Marco Cazorla
HoustonCeramic Coating Training (December 15 – 16, 2022)
Hosted by Chris Trumbo
HoustonPPF Training (January 11 – 13, 2023)
HoustonArchitectural Window Tint Training (January 18 – 20, 2023)
HoustonAutomotive Window Tint Training (February 1 – 3, 2023)
Houston
In 2021, I had the opportunity to shadow installations at three different shops: Pro Window Tinting in McKinney, Texas, Green Valley Window Tint in Henderson, Nev., and Palmetto Protection Films in Myrtle Beach, S.C. This week, I have the chance to cover and shadow a training session at Autobahn Window Film’s headquarters in Houston.
Hosted by Gonzalez of Texas Heat Tint in Huffman, Texas, the session will cover the art of architectural window tinting. I look forward to spotlighting Autobahn’s efforts to advance the industry through instruction.
Tune into the Focus on Film e-newsletter next week for a closer look at the program.
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