Education opportunities for the packaging industry – a global perspective

1. World Packaging Days – Split, June 2012 Dr Gordon Stewart WPO Vice President – Education Head of Training and Professional Development , Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (UK) Education opportunities for the packaging industry – a global perspective

2. Why is education for packaging important? • Analysis of packaging education needs • Overview of current provision • The UK – A case study • Strengths and weaknesses • An agenda for action Overview

3. Meeting the functional requirements of packaging effectively and efficiently • Packaging - the “silent salesperson” • Packaging technologies are changing rapidly and are critical to competitiveness • Avoiding “bad packaging”, for example • Product wastage • “Over-engineered” packaging resulting in the use of too much material • Packs that are difficult to open or re-seal • End of life issues • Optimal packaging – the “Goldilocks Pack” Why is education for packaging important?

4. Growing population with shortage of materials– UN estimates population increase from 7 to 10 billion by 2100 • Especially critical in the developing world where for example, it is estimated that up to 50% of products can be lost between production and consumption • Essential role of packaging in making the best use of the earth’s products and resources Why is education for packaging important? The longer term perspective.

5. The population of sub-Saharan Africa is set to grow from 856 million today to 2 billion in 2050 Currently, 25% of people lack adequate food The absolute number of underweight children has risen since 2000 to 30 million Packaging is part of the solution and increased packaging education is essential to achieving this Sub-Saharan Africa – a case study

6. Long packaging supply chain of producers and users all with different needs – each requiring training and/or education • Including: • Designers –creative and structural • Convertors - using different materials • Users of packaging • People who pack • Packaging machinery engineers • Packaging technologists Analysis of packaging education needs

7. Each point in the supply chain also has its own levels of education that are needed • Cross cutting themes – e.g. sustainability; printing • Each country/region has its own system– e.g. Europe has the European Qualification Framework with education levels 1 – 8 and so does England, but Scotland has 2 systems which are different!! • Even if we simplify by saying: Introductory/Intermediate/Advanced • . . . long supply chain and different levels means a complex picture Analysis of packaging education needs

8. University provision: • Very patchy – some countries having few if any undergraduate courses • Some notable exceptions – e.g. US, China, • Provision by Institutes and Associations • Most WPO members do something • In some instances this is significant – e.g. India, • Sometimes education is Government recognised • Links to professional recognition – e.g. Chartered Packaging Professional in the US • Tends to focus on Packaging Technologists or similar levels Overview of current provision

9. Conferences, seminars, congresses etc • Company-based training • Very significant in many countries • Focused on what is required to do the job • Taught by people who tend to be up-to-date with current practices for individual companies • However it is often . . . . • Designed to meet immediate needs and can be narrow and limited in scope • Company specific – difficult to transfer • Without recognised qualifications Overview of current provision (contd)

10. University provision • Undergraduate – limited to packaging design • Two masters degree courses • College provision in other subject areas with packaging elements e.g. food manufacture • Institute/Association based • IOM3/The Packaging Society – packaging technologists and others • PPMA – for packaging machinery engineers • Company-based – this provides the largest amount • Some public funding for training Case study – Packaging education in the uk

11. Some good practice at individual institutions– e.g. Michigan State University • Good institute/association engagement which blends industry with the academic – but limited volume • WPO activity • Developing courses/institutes • Recognition scheme • Member contributions and networking • Free of charge use of materials for small companies Strengths

12. Lack of a solid international culture of packaging education Limited network of university-based full-time packaging education practitioners Restricted availability of good teaching and learning materials Although the WPO is active its capacity is very limited Absence of recognised qualifications Weaknesses

13. Overall, critical shortages of educated/trained packaging employees across the supply chain Especially marked for packaging technologists Some parts of the packaging supply chain are hardly covered at all – e.g. those who pack products Almost total absence of packaging education in some countries that need it Lack of research literature Weaknesses (contd)

14. WPO initiatives critical • Development of education provision by members • Enhance education recognition scheme • Support for course development in new countries/regions linked to Institute development • Greater engagement between companies, institutes and universities • Increased networking and sharing of education provision between WPO members • Education across the supply chain e.g. packers • International Network for Packaging Education – role for the WPO? Agenda for action

15. Many Thanks