Simplot Australia is the first brand owner in Australia to see five packaging professionals attain the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.
A qualification offered through the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) is a highly regarded mark of excellence internationally and considered a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals.
Leading this initiative for Simplot Australia was group packaging and process improvement manager, Jason Goode (a fellow of the AIP) who had the vision to see his entire packaging team attain the CPP designation together.
Goode told PKN his goal was realised thanks to Simplot Australia’s support and encouragement for continued professional development of its staff.
"I saw the opportunity to lead Simplot’s Packaging team through the CPP as a great way to improve the overall performance of the team.
"We all worked through the training material together, discussing many of the topics at length. The whole process was one of the best team building activities I have experienced to date, with all members working very hard over many hours, but remaining extremely positive and engaged throughout the process," he said.
"I was very proud of how they came together to achieve this outcome, even more so when they told me how much they also enjoyed the process, and their achievement."
Goode noted that currently most people involved in packaging development have few, if any, formal qualifications relating directly to packaging.
"The AIP does offer an on-line Diploma in Packaging Technology and a Certificate in Packaging for the industry, but sadly there is no degree in Packaging Science or Engineering at Australian Universities for young people to take as soon as they finish school," Goode said.
Simplot Australia packaging team member and AIP Fellow Ralph Moyle, who concurs with Goode, said: "In Australia, there are few courses available for packaging professionals to be truly recognised for their levels of expertise and skill-sets. Australasia now offering this internationally recognised program through the AIP will help promote the importance of the role that packaging within industry and hopefully encourage more of those within the industry to apply for the CPP."
"As more people complete the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) program here in Australasia, hopefully it will help enhance careers in packaging, lead to the adoption of common industry-based terminology and language, and overall raise the profile of packaging professionals working in the industry," Goode said.
The Simplot Australia CPP-qualified team includes Jason Goode FAIP, group packaging and process improvement manager, Ralph Moyle FAIP, packaging and process technologist, Liz Matthews MAIP, packaging technologist, Manh Tran MAIP, senior strategic sourcing specialist and Roger Cornelius MAIP, packaging technologist. Incidentally, between them they have over 100 years' packaging experience.
To find out more about the Certified Packaging Professional designation, email the AIP on educate@aipack.com.au or visit http://aipack.com.au/education/certified-packaging-professional-cpp/
