News

Vocational training in the packaging industry has received a boost with almost 300 people signing up to the NVQ Level 2 for Packaging Operators.

The news follows a drive by Barnsley-based Student Resources to sign up packaging firms to the qualification, and comes a month after plans to bring the packaging industry under the remit of the Proskills sector skills council were shelved.

Student Resources, a provider of marketing and student recruitment services for further education colleges and training organisations, hopes to identify a similar number of candidates every month.

Student Resources chief executive Adrian Oldfield said it was initially concentrating on the launch of the NVQ with PIABC, the Packaging Industry Awarding Body Company, and also expected it would "soon" promote the Certificate in Packaging and Diploma in Packaging Technology on PIABC's behalf.

The firm has promoted the NVQ through its call centre in Barnsley, field visits and workshops in larger packaging companies.

Oldfield said he hoped to appoint a Polish speaker to organise field visits to encourage "this important part of the labour force" to get involved with NVQs.

Student Resources has also been "trying to engage with" the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association to get a "joint message" out to its members.

Oldfield said he had been "surprised by the lack of a training culture in the packaging industry", and aimed to develop a "wider NVQ framework" by working with IoP: The Packaging Society and larger brand owners.

The NVQ Level 2 for Packaging Operators is aimed at individuals who work in automated or manual packaging.

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NVQ LEVEL 2 FOR PACKAGING OPERATORS
There are six core units:
• Respond to incidents, hazardous conditions and emergencies
• Work safely
• Working effectively in a team
• Start packaging operations
• Control packaging operations
• End packaging operations

There are also 14 optional modules, including working in aseptic or clean room conditions, packaging testing and sampling, maintaining hygiene standards, and working with hazardous materials.

See www.pi2.org.uk