AIP professional designation for packaging technologists

As the peak professional body for packaging education and training in Australasia, it is paramount that the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) offers professional designations that are internationally recognised and have the ability to raise the profession of packaging technologists and designers across the globe. Such a designation is the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), which is a registered trademark of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) in the United States.

The designation ‘Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)’ is recognised as the premier designation in the industry signifying excellence as a packaging professional.

Attaining the CPP recognises the designation as a commitment to excellence in the packaging profession and the credential demonstrates that a packaging practitioner possesses packaging knowledge, experience and skills to the degree that they deserve recognition as a true packaging professional. CPPs are in demand as speakers and as leaders on packaging teams.

Recognising the importance of the CPP designation, the AIP approached the IoPP to become the first association globally to roll out the program outside of the US. The Australasian region now has over 25 Certified Packaging Professionals, with enrolments coming in every week from across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. All AIP educational and training activities now attain CPD points towards the CPP Designation, which allows active members the opportunity to accrue points simply by learning, networking and attending packaging-related educational programs.

Through the guidance of the AIP, this model has been replicated through the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and all WPO Member Associations are being encouraged to offer the CPP program in their country to not only elevate the profession globally but to also ensure that packaging technologists and designers are recognised for their skills and expertise. There are currently 23 countries across the globe that have qualified Certified Packaging Professionals and this number is growing every day.

WPO Member Associations currently rolling out the program include the Institute of Packaging, Nigeria, the Brazilian Packaging Association, the Institute of Packaging in South Africa and the Spanish Packaging Association. The CPP designation is now internationally recognised by the IoPP, the AIP and the WPO.

By encouraging other countries to roll out the CPP program, the aim is to see packaging technology and design become more globally recognised as a profession, which in turn will encourage more people to attain greater packaging skills and knowledge, with the flow-on effect of more people developing long-term careers in packaging across the globe. The CPP designation should also assist companies to recognise and employ highly skilled packaging professionals through international transfers and exchange programs.

Attaining the CPP designation is an excellent investment in a person’s professional development and the credential defines the packaging professional allowing organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions. In an ideal world, all companies who are hiring packaging professionals should ensure that the CPP designation is a recognised and required skill set for the hiring and promotion processes.

The CPP is the premier designation in the industry, signifying excellence as a packaging professional with the most recent IoPP salary survey revealing that CPPs can earn between 7% and 10% more than their non-certified co-workers.

Using the CPP program to assess and evaluate one’s professional competency validates them as internationally proficient as a packaging professional, a cut above their peers.

Image credit: Australian Institute of Packaging