What’s New: In Brief (September 17, 2009)

The Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA) launched a bricks and mortar education centre at its new office in Edmonton.
“With our own education centre, the IBAA can cost effectively maximize our team’s resources and offer more programs to our members,” said Ginny Bannerman, IBAA’s CEO.
In 2008 IBAA provided its members with 1,489 hours of classroom instruction, a number that is expected to increase, an IBAA release says.
One example of a new program is a ‘Lunch & Learn’ series where participants can attend monthly seminars during the lunch hour.
The association is also producing an online video training series for both the personal and commercial insurance areas.

More than 1,000 collision centres across Canada have converted to PPG’s waterborne basecoats from solvent-based systems, marking a milestone on the road to full conversion.
Shops are making the switch in anticipation of Canada’s new VOC Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinish Products Regulations that take effect June 18, 2010. The regulations are intended to to reduce VOC atmospheric emissions and improve air quality, a PPG Canada release says.