Australian Institute of Packaging: celebrating 50 years

For the last 50 years the Australian Institute of Packaging has followed this credo: To serve as an independent professional body of packaging specialists; To promote professional standards of competency through education and training; To advance and promote the standing of packaging specialists as a profession; To serve and establish the confidence of the community in the packaging profession; To aim towards professional qualifications for all Members; To uphold professional integrity and ethics within the profession of packaging. And its continued existence is a testament to the institute’s success.

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) was founded 50 years ago in response to a need for packaging technologists to interact and provide a professional identity for individuals within the packaging industry. The AIP is the professional body for packaging technologists and any other individuals involved within the packaging industry throughout Australasia. It is the only professional body that caters for individual membership for all people involved in the packaging industry in Australasia.

The AIP is committed to recognise, educate and assist the individuals who make up the diverse packaging industry and its acknowledged primary function is to provide ongoing education and technical training for its members and guests. Formal education opportunities are provided via the online Certificate in Packaging Technology and a Diploma in Packaging Technology - both of which carry IoP (UK) accreditation.

In addition, the institute facilitates networking between its members with a range of meetings, plant tours and conferences organised by both state branches and the national office.

National and local educational events

The AIP organises national conferences, training courses and technical seminars with strong support from the packaging industry.

National events include the AIP’s two largest functions, which alternate each year - the AIP National Technical Forum and the AIP National Conference. In addition, each branch runs its own program of site visits, technical functions, seminars and social events throughout the year. These meetings provide excellent opportunities for networking, as well as for informed discussion on current topics of interest to packaging technologists and professionals, and the industry as a whole. As speakers and events vary within each branch, all members are invited to attend any function in any branch and many attend interstate functions regularly.

National conference

The AIP’s flagship event is the biennial national conference, which alternates between Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The AIP National Conference brings together some 40 leading international and national experts in a variety of fields to cater for everyone in the food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries. Keynote speakers are world-renowned experts in their fields and the program provides an extensive array of educational and technical opportunities for everyone in the industry.

National technical forum

The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) provides the opportunity for the AIP to run the only National Technical Forum available for industry during AUSPACK PLUS - the largest trade show for packaging, processing, plastics and associated equipment and machinery in Australasia.

Technical seminars and dinners

While each branch varies in their style of events, the monthly technical seminar series is run across Australia as lunches, breakfasts and dinner functions, and brings together two to three speakers on a nominated topic each month. Each seminar is themed around a popular topic of debate in industry and the topics are sourced from AIP members. This series of events is not only an additional way to gain insight into relevant topics, but is also designed as a networking opportunity for branch members to get to know each other.

Half-day training courses

The AIP runs a broad range of half-day training courses across both Australia and New Zealand. Half-day training courses can also be run in-house at your site. All of their half-day training courses are written and presented by qualified experts within their respective fields and are professionals who currently work in the packaging industry.

How to become a member of the AIP?

Membership to the AIP is open to any persons interested in packaging and the industry in general. As membership is personal it can be invaluable when seeking employment or promotion, as the qualification standards are a clear indication of the level of academic achievement and packaging industry experience.

Becoming a member is simple, just visit the AIP website, www.aipack.com.au, and click on the membership link.