The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has released findings from its 2024 Career & Salary Survey, with results pointing to a shortage of technical skills in packaging.
According to Nerida Kelton FAIP, executive director at AIP, the survey shows a need to upskill industry professionals in “the science and technical side of all materials and pack formats”. She said this was particularly important with more young people entering the workforce and at a “critical juncture in packaging regulatory changes”.
Pierre Pienaar FAIP, CCPL, education director at AIP, said the report provides data to help businesses, jobseekers and recruiters make informed decisions. “The 2024 Career & Salary Survey provides a summary of salary levels for a broad range of roles, but also an overview on how well qualified the people are that work in our industry,” he said.
Pienaar added that more professionals are needed with qualifications such as the Certificate and Diploma in Packaging Technology, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate studies in packaging disciplines. He said this would “go a long way in improving the overall knowledge and skillsets in the industry, so as to ensure that we have more people … with the knowledge to make informed packaging decisions”.
Key findings from the 2024 survey include:
- 31% of respondents work in packaging technology and design, followed by 25% in research and 11% in sustainability and environment.
- 31% of respondents have more than 20 years’ experience in the packaging industry, though this represents a 10% decrease since the previous year.
- 57% hold a graduate degree and 29% an undergraduate degree.
- 29% hold a Diploma in Packaging Technology, 24% have completed the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, 23% have a Certificate in Packaging, and 12% a Master of Food & Packaging Innovation.
- 48% of respondents work in the food industry, 12% in packaging materials, and 12% in beverages.
- 41% of respondents feel “somewhat secure” in their jobs, while 34% “feel very secure”, marking a shift from previous results.
- Key challenges identified include raw material costs, high labour costs, customer resistance to price increases, sourcing and pricing of recycled content, regulatory changes and meeting the 2025 National Packaging Targets.
The survey covers respondents across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
AIP members can request the full 2024 Career & Salary Survey report via info@aipack.com.au, while an executive summary is publicly available here.
The 2025 survey is now open. AIP is inviting all industry professionals to participate, with all respondents to receive the final report free of charge.
