For the AIP to remain relevant the Institute needs to ensure that it is offering something for everyone and 2015 has certainly been an indication that we have delivered on this commitment. The AIP has introduced a signifcant amount of new initiatives and educational offerings this year including our new partnership with the IoPP in the US, the Certifed Packaging Professional designation, the bite-sized modules for the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology course, availability of international textbooks for our members and the Master of Food and Packaging Innovation course.

CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

The Certifed Packaging Professional designation will become the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals under a new partnefhip announced by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) in the U.S. and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). IoPP and AIP will mutually recognise CPP as the gold standard of broad packaging proficiency under a program in which AIP membef will join qualifying IoPP members as being eligible for certification.  Approximately 2,000 packaging professionals have earned the CPP designation, a trademark of IoPP, since the program was launched 1972.

Being able to offer the CPP credential in Australasia allows packaging professionals in our industry the opportunity to join recognised packaging experts from around the world with the industry's leading professional designation.  Attaining the CPP designation is an excellent investment in your professional development, and the credential defines the packaging professional and allows organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions.  Using the CPP program to assess and evaluate one's professional competency validates you as internationally proficient as a packaging professional, a cut above your peers.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL FORUMS

We have also continued to offer the industry national educational activities such as the 2015 National Technical Forums which were held alongside of AUSPACK in Melbourne.  The 2015 National Technical Forums were developed on a new model - four days and included 40 speakers, 8 countries and 11 sessions.  Over the four days there were 760 session visits to the forums, with 222 delegates averaging 2 sessions each over two days.

BITE-SIZED MODULES – FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY

The Institute of Packaging Professionals' Fundamentals of Packaging Technology is now available to the packaging industry in Australasia through AIP's partnership with IoPP —respected for decades as the trusted authority for continuing packaging education in the USA.  Fundamentals of Packaging Technology on-line is set up for the convenience of busy working professionals, and the training platform is functionally intuitive.  Complete your training when your time allows, and at your own pace.  Wherever you are, the course goes with you!

Fundamentals of Packaging Technology on-line course content is developed by IoPP in consultation with packaging subject matter experts at leading global consumer packaged goods companies who face packaging challenges just like yours.  Take the complete course and learn about all the major segments of packaging —and beyond.  Or customise your training by selecting from 12 lesson bundles organised by topic, or from single lessons as short as 30 minutes.  Fundamentals on- line spans 42 modules and 27 hours of content that is recognised for its quality by the World Packaging Organisation.  The Fundamentals of Packaging Technology on-line course is ideal training to prepare for the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) exam offered through the AIP and the IoPP.

MASTER IN FOOD AND PACKAGING INNOVATION

The Master of Food and Packaging Innovation is a new inter-disciplinary degree that explores food science, entrepreneurship and innovation in product and packaging design at an advanced level.  This unique course forms part of a joint University of Melbourne, Mondelēz International and the Australian Institute of Packaging initiative, with the support of the Victorian Government.  You will learn the skills necessary to develop valuable and innovative food products that address key issues such as transportability, durability, tamper proofing and perishability issues, as well as key environmental, economic, social and ethical factor.

APPMA SCHOLARSHIP

The APPMA once again provided an annual scholarship program that enabled one person to study a Diploma in Packaging Technology to the value of $10,000.  Due to the quality of submissions that were received this year the APPMA agreed to provide two scholarships to the value of $20,000.  The winners of the 2015 APPMA Scholarship are Alysha Baggett, Packaging Technologist, Frucor Beverages and Alexandra Brayshaw, Accessibility Design Researcher, Arthritis Australia.

SITE VISITS

The AIP ran 8 site visits over two countries in 2015 which saw 160 people in attendance.

HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSES

The Institute ran 6 Half-Day Training Courses over two countries in 2015 which saw 75 people receive additional packaging training.

TECHNICAL DINNERS

The AIP ran 7 technical dinners which saw 282 in attendance.  The technical dinners were in collaboration with 5 industry associations that the AIP works with each year.

WOMEN MENTORING PROGRAM

For the second year the AIP have worked in collaboration with Emberin to create a 12 week program using My Mentor Courageous Woman mentoring program for women in the food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries.  This program has been specifically designed for the packaging industry.