What a fabulous relationship! It has now been around fifteen months since Ai Group, under the Victorian Government ISA project, began working closely with the AIP to deliver half day training courses to the industry.
The courses, as the title suggests, have been diverse, with participants from across the industry, including packaging technologists, sales, production, distribution, and manufacturing managers.
These initial courses have been basic introductions to the industry and its nuisances, catering for those who have just started and those who are interested in knowing a little more - an excellent bridge to the Certificate and Diploma courses in packaging offered by the AIP.
Over the two year Industry Skills Adviser (ISA) project, seven AIP/ Ai Group half day courses have been delivered in Melbourne and many have been repeated in Sydney and Brisbane.
The success has been due to the professionalism and expertise of the presenters and the ability of the AIP, together with Ai Group, to promote the courses to the whole industry.
These courses and additional ones will continue, as the AIP is committed to member education and the development of the industry.
The 2007 survey of the industry that included both individuals and companies revealed the following training requirements:
- Logistics
- Competitive manufacturing
- Innovation and research
- Environmental issues
- Sales and Marketing
- Regulations and National Packaging Covenant
- Entry level/introductory information for packaging
- Management skills
The AIP/Ai Group half day training courses have focused on introductory technical information for packaging, an immediate need.
As the interest in courses is more established the scope will broaden and relationships with other organisations will grow.
It has been an excellent outcome for the ISA project and the Victorian Government, as the aim of the project was to create sustainable models for increasing training in the packaging industry.
The project has enabled the AIP to instigate new programs to meet industry needs and develop the training ethos in the industry.
Credit must be given to Llew Stephens, National President of AIP in 2007, who seized the opportunity to work with Ai Group and develop the training.
Also to Craig Wellman, current National President, who is committed to the continuation of the training model. It has been a pleasure to work with such professional and enthusiastic industry people as the AIP.
As one of the evaluations of the courses states “it is always interesting to listen to people who know what they are talking about.”
For further information email: info@aipack.com.au or phone 07 3278 4490.
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