Australasia's first CPIT from Simplot

Sigrid Tusek, Packaging Development Officer for Simplot Australia, recently attained the Certified Packaging Professional in Training (CPIT) designation. Tusek is not only the newest and youngest member of the Simplot packaging team, she is also the first person in Australasia to receive the title.

After working as a design engineer with the Bayly Group and completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design Engineering) with the Swinburne University of Technology, Tusek moved into the packaging industry.

“I have noticed many similarities between product design and packaging with an overlap of materials and manufacturing,” she said.

After starting at Caps and Closures and getting exposure to injection moulding for six months in a part-time role, she began her full time role at Simplot. Tusek was new to the industry and she said this motivated her to achieve the CPIT designation.

She compared the packaging industry to learning a new language, and said it “offered a framework for learning, provided valuable insights and further developed my knowledge about that world”.

“The packaging team at Simplot have also been a huge influence as they are an inspiring group of packaging professionals, supporting and encouraged me to undertake this goal,” she continued.

The designation is aimed towards either individuals who are beginning a career in the industry or those looking to expand their understanding of non-technical packaging. Tusek highlighted that being able to “develop an overall, fundamental knowledge of packaging” was a “valuable developmental step”.

Internationally recognised by both IoPP and AIP, Tusek praised the opportunities provided by the CPIT designation.

“It recognises professionals who are both academically qualified and have extensive industry experience. It inspires new people to be committed to the industry, to build their knowledge and to contribute to the packaging industry. Being an internationally recognised qualification the CPIT Designation provides a great professional goal.”

To find out more information about the program, visit http://aipack.com.au/education/certified-packaging-professional-in-training-cpit/.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/vinnstock