VOA events in autumn 2025: training courses on anodizing and coating

Continuous training and quality assurance are essential to ensure high standards in surface finishing in the long term. As a trade association, the VOA has been making an important contribution to these two pillars for many years, as the association uses targeted training courses, seminars and workshops to ensure that specialists in the industry are always up to date with the latest knowledge, improve their skills and learn about new technologies and processes; always with the overarching aim of ensuring the quality of products, strengthening the competitiveness of companies and promoting sustainable solutions. In addition, as general licensee of the global quality marks Qualanod and Qualicoat, the VOA supports the industry in meeting international standards and increasing acceptance and confidence in the surface finishing of aluminum.

Laboratory workshop for anodizers with practical group work

Following last year's successful premiere, the VOA is once again organizing its practical laboratory workshop in Schwäbisch Gmünd on 17 and 18 September 2025 in cooperation with the Fem Research Institute. The event is aimed at employees who have been working in this field for several years and would like to deepen their existing knowledge of laboratory and measurement technology in the anodizing process. Of course, participants from related departments such as quality assurance, production and application technology are also welcome to gain a more comprehensive insight into laboratory activities. The workshop will focus on the pre-treatment and anodizing process, the dyeing process and the compaction process. By asking the participants in advance, the VOA is able to respond comprehensively to the target group. Practical exercises and the opportunity to bring in their own problems, error patterns or samples help participants to improve their work in laboratory and measurement technology in the anodizing process. The workshop offers the valuable opportunity to strengthen quality assurance in the company with concrete solutions and to deepen one's own knowledge in a practical and profitable way.

Compact coating and Qualicoat seminar

The VOA will kick off its three-day training program at the Hotel Jagdschloss Kranichstein near Darmstadt on 11 November 2025 with the coating and Qualicoat seminar for beginners and advanced users. The seminar for all coating companies is recognized by the general licensor Qualicoat and is considered mandatory training for licensees and approval holders of the international quality mark of the same name. It provides in-depth knowledge about the coating of aluminum, the improvement of surface quality and compliance with international standards. For coating companies and users, the seminar offers an ideal platform for understanding, implementing and continuously optimizing the high quality requirements that the general licensor constantly adapts to the latest scientific and research findings. Ralf Heitzelmann, Deputy Head of the Technical Commission of the VOA, and renowned speakers will provide practical information on relevant topics from the field of coating.

Anodizing seminar: expert knowledge from the field for the field

The following anodizing seminar, planned over two days on 12 and 13 November 2025, will take an in-depth look at the individual process steps involved in the anodic oxidation of aluminium: contacting, cleaning and degreasing, pickling, rinsing and decapping, anodizing, pre-anodizing and hard anodizing, electrolytic dyeing, dip dyeing and sealing. The basic idea of the seminar: Know the basics of the individual work steps, detect and rectify faults and operate fault management to ensure the optimum quality of surface-finished products. The event also provides an insight into the specifications of the international Qualanod quality mark. Friedhelm U. Scholten, Chairman of the Executive Board, will lead the seminar as an experienced expert in this field.

VOA training courses equip specialists with the latest knowledge

With its three training events in 2025, the VOA is committed to equipping specialists with the latest knowledge and thus maintaining the quality of surface finishing at the highest level. After all, well-trained employees are the basis for innovative solutions, efficient processes and satisfied customers. The VOA cordially invites all members and interested parties to take part in the events in the fall and actively shape the future of surface finishing together. Further information and the opportunity to register at www.voa.de. The registration deadline for the laboratory workshop is 31.07.2025, for the two seminars 05.09.2025; there may still be free capacity available after these dates.