SAPMA has ushered in
a bold new era for the coatings industry with the establishment of the PBCS (Professional Body for the Coatings Sector).
Focus has shifted from outdated qualifications to a modern framework of professional recognition — one that champions competence, ethics, and innovation, and elevates professional excellence.
The Professional Body for the Coatings Sector, established under SAPMA, is the official custodian of professional designations within the coatings industry in South Africa.
Recognizing and Advancing Industry Excellence
Our mandate is to recognize, certify, and uphold professional standards for individuals operating across the value chain—from Coating Suppliers and Manufacturers to the Retail Paint & Hardware Sector and Paint Contractors.
By awarding industry-recognized Professional Designations, we provide a structured career path for practitioners, ensuring their skills, expertise, and ethical conduct align with national and international best practices. These designations serve as a mark of credibility, distinguishing professionals who have demonstrated competence and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
Lifelong Learning and Continuous Professional Development
As part of our commitment to professional growth, the Professional Body for the Coatings Sector implements a Lifelong Learning Model designed to keep industry professionals at the forefront of innovation and regulatory compliance. Our annual Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program ensures that all designated professionals remain up to date with the latest advancements in coatings technology, sustainability practices, safety regulations, and business management. Through structured CPD activities, industry training, and professional engagement, practitioners can continuously enhance their skills and retain their professional status. By integrating education with industry needs, we empower coatings professionals to contribute meaningfully to the sector’s growth while maintaining the highest levels of expertise and ethical responsibility.
Why We’ve Embraced a Professional Body
For years, SAPMA, through its training arm SAPITI, poured resources into government-led systems like the Chemical SETA and QCTO. But the results were disappointing—financial setbacks, eroded trust, and a Skills Levy system that failed to deliver meaningful growth.
In 2023, we took a decisive step forward, pivoting to establish the PBCS.
This move puts us in the driver’s seat, ensuring the coatings sector thrives on real-world skills and ethical leadership—not bureaucratic promises. It’s about building a future where professionals are recognised for what they do, not just what they’ve studied.
What Professional Recognition Means for You
As the PBCS, we’re redefining what it means to be a coatings professional through two core pillars:
- Competence: Proven skills and expertise in your role—whether you’re mixing paint or managing quality.
- Conduct: A commitment to ethical standards that builds trust across the industry.
Your Professional Designation is more than a title—it’s a mark of distinction, earned and maintained through dedication. It’s not a one-and-done achievement; lapse in standards, and you risk losing it. This ensures your credibility stays strong with employers, clients, and regulators alike.
Who Can Join the Journey?
The PBCS opens doors for every professional in the coatings sector:
- Operational Experts: From labourers and technicians to paint chemists, retailers, and contractors.
- Managers: Senior Executives, operational leaders and quality assurance specialists driving excellence.
- Compliance Champions: Professionals issuing Certificates of Completion (COCs) for statutory, banking, and insurance needs.
No matter your role, our objective is to ensure that there will be a designation that reflects your contribution—and a pathway to grow.
Why We’ve Embraced a Professional Body
For years, SAPMA, through its training arm SAPITI, poured resources into government-led systems like the Chemical SETA and QCTO. But the results were disappointing—financial setbacks, eroded trust, and a Skills Levy system that failed to deliver meaningful growth.
In 2023, we took a decisive step forward, pivoting to establish the PBCS.
This move puts us in the driver’s seat, ensuring the coatings sector thrives on real-world skills and ethical leadership—not bureaucratic promises. It’s about building a future where professionals are recognised for what they do, not just what they’ve studied.
What Professional Recognition Means for You
As the PBCS, we’re redefining what it means to be a coatings professional through two core pillars:
- Competence: Proven skills and expertise in your role—whether you’re mixing paint or managing quality.
- Conduct: A commitment to ethical standards that builds trust across the industry.
Your Professional Designation is more than a title—it’s a mark of distinction, earned and maintained through dedication. It’s not a one-and-done achievement; lapse in standards, and you risk losing it. This ensures your credibility stays strong with employers, clients, and regulators alike.
Who Can Join the Journey?
The PBCS opens doors for every professional in the coatings sector:
- Operational Experts: From labourers and technicians to paint chemists, retailers, and contractors.
- Managers: Senior Executives, operational leaders and quality assurance specialists driving excellence.
- Compliance Champions: Professionals issuing Certificates of Completion (COCs) for statutory, banking, and insurance needs.
No matter your role, our objective is to ensure that there will be a designation that reflects your contribution—and a pathway to grow.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Your Growth Engine
In a fast-moving industry, standing still isn’t an option. For each Designation, our CPD programme keeps you sharp and ahead of the curve:
- Maintain Your Designation: Stay recognised with ongoing learning.
- Level Up: Climb to higher tiers of professional standing.
Our CPD calendar goes beyond the basics of products and techniques. It spans the entire coatings value chain—raw materials to final finishes—delivering insights that connect the dots and boost your impact.
Training Reimagined: Internal and External Collaboration
SAPMA is no longer a direct training provider or quality assurer—we’ve evolved to partner with the best. We’re collaborating with top-tier training vendors and internal training units within SAPMA member companies to create a Professional Taxonomy Framework. This ensures internal training aligns seamlessly with our designation standards, blending consistency with flexibility.
The Benefits of Joining
Aligning with the PBCS unlocks a world of opportunities:
- Industry Recognition: Stand out as a skilled, trusted professional.
- Enhanced Credibility: Build confidence with employers, clients, and regulators.
- Career-Boosting CPD: Access learning that propels you forward.
- A Stronger Sector: Join a community committed to ethics and excellence.
This is your chance to be part of something bigger—a coatings industry that leads with integrity and innovation.
