The Packaging industry’s own Government-recognised awarding body, PIABC (the Packaging Industry Awarding Body Company), has launched its first National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) for packaging operators, which it says “begins to answer the need for a suite of NVQs for the packaging industry”.
Assessments are carried out in the workplace by trained assessors, and require candidates to reach nationally recognised standards of performance, knowledge and understanding. Structured training can thus takes place without taking staff away from the packaging line for long periods. The PIABC points out that experience in other industries shows this approach pays dividends, not only by “delivering training and qualifications”, but equally in improving quality, competitiveness and profitability.
The new qualifications are built around six core units; to achieve the full NVQ candidates must gain these plus any two of 14 “option units”. The PIABC says: “Each unit contains a series of elements that get right to the heart of the process, whether on an automated packaging line or in a more manual setting”. Supporting units cover other areas such as simple machine maintenance, pack sampling, health and safety and routine maintenance changeover.
The PIABC adds: “Packaging operators are a large group of workers in the industry who play a vital role in ensuring that good quality packs are produced on time and according to specifications. However they are also people who have few opportunities to get their skills and competences formally recognised and to progress in the industry. This leads to poor work standards and a lack of competitiveness which will damage the bottom line. Not only do these new NVQs open up the opportunity for packaging operators to be upskilled; they also make it possible for packaging companies to more readily access Government funding for training.”
