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The AMPPlify Update is AMPP’s monthly roundup of corrosion industry news, coatings and materials protection insights, technical resources, workforce development initiatives, and global events. This edition highlights the launch of TalentForce, new research on pipeline integrity and shipbuilding workforce capacity, upcoming corrosion awareness campaigns, and key opportunities for corrosion engineers, coatings inspectors, and asset integrity professionals.  

In this AMPPlify Update: 

• AMPP News: AMPP Launches TalentForce to Address the Global Corrosion Workforce Shortage 
• AMPP Member Moments: Highlights from AMPP’s Global Community
• AMPP Tech: This Month's Technical Content 
  
• AMPP Events: Join AMPP at One of Our Featured Events
  
• AMPP Career Center: This Month's Job Opportunities 
• AMPP Government Affairs: AMPP Advocacy & Government Affairs Alerts 
• AMPP Around the World: Connect with Us In Person

AMPP NEWS

AMPP Launches TalentForce to Address the Global Corrosion Workforce Shortage 

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has launched TalentForce, a charitable workforce development initiative focused on strengthening the future pipeline of corrosion engineers, coatings inspectors, materials protection specialists, and asset integrity professionals. 

Corrosion quietly degrades critical infrastructure worldwide, costing the global economy more than $2.5 trillion annually. Preventing that damage requires trained professionals, but the talent pipeline is shrinking as experienced workers retire, fewer new entrants replace them, and technologies and performance standards continue to evolve.

TalentForce will strengthen the future workforce by expanding career awareness and developing industry-aligned training pathways, including career exposure programs, apprenticeships, credential-based training, and strategic partnerships.

“The science of corrosion control and materials protection has never been stronger,” said Alan Thomas, chairman of TalentForce and CEO of AMPP. “But corrosion is no longer the industry’s only enemy—the workforce shortage is the greatest threat in the future. TalentForce is how we act now before workforce gaps become infrastructure crises.”

Learn more at www.talentforce.org.

AMPP Releases First Energy Industry Report on Pipeline Integrity 

AMPP has released its first Industry Report focused on the energy sector, U.S. Pipeline Industry 2026: Leading Failures, New Technologies, and Future Outlook. Drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and input from industry experts, the report examines the causes of pipeline incidents and identifies corrosion as a leading, preventable risk. It also highlights how aging infrastructure, workforce changes, and new energy systems are shaping the future of pipeline integrity.

Sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, this publication launches AMPP’s new Energy Industry Report series, which will provide data-driven insight to help industry professionals strengthen asset protection and support safe, reliable operations.

Read the full press release and download the report.

Join the World Corrosion Awareness Day 2026 Campaign 

Corrosion affects nearly everything we rely on, yet its impact often goes unnoticed until something fails. On April 24, 2026, AMPP—together with the World Corrosion Organization (WCO), European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), and International Corrosion Council (ICC)—will lead the global World Corrosion Awareness Day (WCAD) campaign. This year’s theme, “The Corrosion Conversation,” aims to spark dialogue, correct misconceptions, and highlight the real-world impact of corrosion prevention.

Help amplify the message by participating in the global social media campaign.

👉 Learn more and sign up 

AMPP and TalentForce Launch First Maritime Industry Report on Workforce and Fleet Capacity  

AMPP, in collaboration with the newly launched TalentForce, has released its first maritime Industry Report, U.S. Shipbuilding and Repair: Workforce Report 2026. The report examines the structural and workforce challenges shaping shipbuilding, ship repair, and long-term fleet sustainment in the United States. While significant investment is being directed toward strengthening the maritime industrial base, the analysis highlights workforce qualification, standards alignment, and retention in critical trades as central factors influencing fleet capacity and long-term performance.

Released alongside the formal launch of TalentForce, a charitable workforce development organization backed by AMPP, the report reinforces the importance of standards-based training, employer-aligned pathways, and validated credentials across the full vessel lifecycle, from design and construction to maintenance and life extension. As the first publication in AMPP’s new maritime Industry Report series, it reflects AMPP’s continued commitment to serving as a technical resource for ship owners, operators, shipyards, and workforce partners.

Read the full press release and download the report 

CORROSION BY THE NUMBERS

• $2.5 trillion – Annual global cost of corrosion
• 25–30% – Infrastructure failures linked to corrosion
• 70+ countries represented in AMPP membership
• Thousands of corrosion professionals are trained annually

AMPP MEMBER MOMENTS

Find Your Luck in the Right Community   

They say finding a four-leaf clover brings good LUCK. But sometimes LUCK is not hiding in a field. Sometimes it is found in the right professional community.

For those of us working in corrosion prevention, coatings, materials performance and protection, and asset integrity, that lucky find might just be AMPP, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance.

Think of membership as your lucky charm. When you join us, you gain access to the knowledge, connections, and opportunities that help move your career forward.

Inside AMPP, we offer:
Industry expertise from leading corrosion and materials protection professionals 
Technical resources and training that strengthen our knowledge and skills 
A global network connecting us across the corrosion and coatings industry 
Leadership and career development opportunities that help us grow

 

Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned professional, we are here to connect you to the community, insights, and professional development that keep our industry moving forward.

PowerUP and join us to see where your LUCK leads. The best kind of LUCK is not something you stumble upon. It is built through the people and community around you.

If your membership renewal is approaching, renew today and keep that LUCKY streak going.

“Women in this industry are building paths that did not always exist before. Through Women of AMPP, we support one another, share our experiences, and remind each other that there is space for us here.” — Tami Melhart, Director of Tank Services at Amerapex

AMPP TECH

U.S. Air Force Tests Deployable Corrosion Protection System

Why Hiring a Coatings Inspector Is Essential for Asset Integrity

Intergranular Attack of Monel 400 in Nuclear Steam Generators

📸Share Your Conference Moments

Dr. Nick Birbilis: Honoring AMPP’s 2026 Whitney Award Winner

QP for the Maritime Industry

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AMPP EVENTS

	AMPP Central Conference 2026 September 28-30, 2026 | Saint Paul, MN
	AMPP Eastern Conference 2026 October 19-21, 2026 | Myrtle Beach, SC
	AMPP Western Conference 2026 November 16-18, 2026 | Renton, WA

 

Final Approach: Make the Most of the Final Day 

As AMPP Annual prepares for landing, make the most of the final day.  Review our Know Before You Go for key reminders, event details, and helpful tips before conference concludes. 

 

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AMPP CAREER CENTER

Corrosion Specialist I  Buckeye Partners, LP  | Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States

Cathodic Protection Engineer WBI Energy Corrosion Services  |  Billings, Montana, United States

CP Technician Lake Superior Consulting  |  Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Remote)

 

Looking For Assistance With Employee Recruitment? 

Look no further than AMPP's Career Center, where you can post your job openings and reach thousands of professionals in the Corrosion and Coatings industry. Don't wait, post your job openings today and enhance your recruitment efforts.

 

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AMPP GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Make an Impact at AMPP Advocacy Days 2026 

AMPP's Advocacy Days are returning to Washington, D.C., May 11-13, 2026, giving members a unique opportunity to bring the materials protection and performance industry's voice directly to federal decision-makers. 

This year's program includes focused fly-ins for the Maritime, Defense, Energy, and Civil Infrastructure sectors, where participants will meet with members of Congress and federal agency leaders to discuss the policies, standards, and workforce issues shaping your industry. 

Advocacy Days are your chance to: 

• Educate policymakers about the importance of corrosion control, coatings, and asset protection, from ports and pipelines to bridges and defense infrastructure.

• Highlight workforce development needs and federal policy priorities that support growth and resilience. 
• Strengthen AMPP's influence in national policy conversations that directly affect your business and profession.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to government engagement, Advocacy Days offer a powerful platform to influence the future of materials performance policy in the U.S. 

Save the Date and Plan to Join Us

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AMPP AROUND THE WORLD

Offshore Technology Conference Asia (OTC Asia 2026) March 31-April 2, 2026 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Common Questions About Corrosion, Coatings, and Asset Protection 

What is TalentForce, and why did AMPP launch it?

TalentForce is a charitable workforce development initiative created by AMPP to address the growing shortage of professionals in corrosion prevention, coatings, and materials protection. The program focuses on expanding career awareness, supporting apprenticeships, and developing training pathways that prepare the next generation of corrosion engineers, coatings inspectors, and asset integrity professionals.

Why is there a workforce shortage in corrosion and materials protection?

Many experienced corrosion professionals are reaching retirement age, while fewer new professionals are entering the field. At the same time, industries such as energy, maritime, transportation, and infrastructure rely heavily on corrosion control specialists to maintain safe and reliable operations. Workforce initiatives like TalentForce aim to strengthen the talent pipeline and ensure critical infrastructure continues to be protected.

What causes pipeline failures in the energy industry?

Pipeline failures can occur for several reasons, but corrosion remains one of the leading and most preventable causes. AMPP’s new Pipeline Industry Report examines how aging infrastructure, inspection gaps, and changing energy systems are influencing pipeline integrity and highlights technologies and strategies that can reduce corrosion-related incidents.

Why is corrosion prevention important in the maritime industry?

Ships, shipyards, and offshore structures operate in extremely corrosive environments due to constant exposure to saltwater and harsh weather conditions. Corrosion prevention strategies—including coatings systems, materials selection, and inspection programs—are critical for maintaining fleet reliability, extending vessel life, and ensuring maritime safety.

What is World Corrosion Awareness Day?

World Corrosion Awareness Day, held annually on April 24, is a global initiative that raises awareness about the impact of corrosion and the importance of corrosion prevention. The campaign encourages engineers, organizations, and industry leaders to share knowledge and highlight how corrosion control protects infrastructure, the environment, and public safety.

What is the AMPP Annual Conference?

The AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is the world’s largest event dedicated to corrosion prevention, coatings, and materials protection. The conference brings together engineers, inspectors, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange technical knowledge, explore new technologies, and strengthen the global corrosion community.

 

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Explore More Corrosion Insights

📘 Pipeline Integrity Research
⚓ Maritime Workforce & Shipbuilding
🎓 Corrosion Training & Certifications
👷 Workforce Development (TalentForce)
🔬 Corrosion Prevention Resources

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