On December 9, 2025, the national painting team kicked off its 2026 season in the creative workshop of main sponsor Caparol. Under the motto "Kick-off meets creativity", team members, managers and partners met for the official start of the season, which combined theory, practice and exchange.
New members after German championship
The kick-off event marks the start of the national painting team's preparations for the next EuroSkills, which will take place in Düsseldorf in 2027. The focus was on the new team members who qualified for the squad based on their placings at the 2025 German Painting and Varnishing Championships. Isabell Massanek (22) from North Rhine-Westphalia, Richard Barsch (20) from Saxony and Jonas Schneegans (19) from Lower Saxony were newly admitted. They complete the team for the upcoming preparation phase for international competitions.
Farewells and recognition
The national team also bid farewell to four members: Myriam Rathfelder (26) from Hamburg, Jasmin Milz (23) from Rhineland-Palatinate, Lena Sager (27) from North Rhine-Westphalia and Anna Hüllner (24) from Baden-Württemberg, who came second at EuroSkills 2025. Co-coach Diego Gomez-Velazquez was also recognized for his commitment since 2022. He is stepping down, but will remain associated with the team.
Ivo Fuhrmann, Vice President of the Bundesverband Farbe Gestaltung Bautenschutz, emphasized the role of the national team in promoting young talent in the skilled trades. Dr. Ralf Murjahn, owner and CEO of DAW SE, also emphasized the importance of the team for the main sponsor Caparol and underlined its contribution to the attractiveness of the painting and decorating trade.
Creative workshop as a professional impulse
The season kick-off was complemented by a workshop on modern color concepts. The team members were given an insight into color systems, color combinations and new creative techniques. The content was rounded off with a keynote speech on the visualization and presentation of colour designs.