As the peak professional body for packaging education & training in Australasia it is paramount that the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) offers professional designations that are internationally recognised and have the ability to raise the profession of packaging technologists and designers across the globe. Such a designation is the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)®; which is a registered trademark of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) in the United States.

Since 1972, IoPP has awarded over 2000 qualified applicants the designation ‘Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)®’ and is recognised as the premier designation in the industry signifying excellence as a packaging professional.

Candidates achieve the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)® designation by demonstrating significant industry expertise and experience, measured through a flexible applicant testing process and a detailed Certified Professional Development (CPD) program.

Attaining the CPP® recognises the designation as a commitment to excellence in the packaging profession and the credential demonstrates that a packaging practitioner possesses packaging knowledge, experience and skills to the degree that they deserve recognition as a true packaging professional. CPP®s are in demand as speakers and as leaders on packaging teams.

Recognising the importance of the CPP designation the AIP approached the IoPP to become the first association globally to roll out the program outside of the US. The Australasian region now has over 25 Certified Packaging Professionals, with enrolments coming in every week from across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. All AIP educational and training activities now attain CPD points towards the CPP Designation which allows active Members the opportunity to accrue points simply by learning, networking and attending packaging-related educational programs.

Through the guidance of the AIP this model has now been replicated through the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and all WPO Member Associations are being encouraged to offer the CPP program in their country to not only elevate the profession globally but to also ensure that packaging technologists and designers are recognised for their skills and expertise.

WPO Member Countries that are in the process of the rollout include Nigeria, Brazil, South Africa and Singapore with many others to follow shortly. The CPP® designation is now internationally recognised by the IoPP, the AIP and the WPO.

By encouraging other countries to roll out the CPP® program the aim is to see packaging technology and design become more globally recognised as a profession, which in turn will encourage more people to attain greater packaging skills and knowledge, with the flow on effect of more people developing long-term careers in packaging across the globe. The CPP® designation should also assist companies to recognise and employ highly-skilled packaging professionals through international transfers and exchange programs.

Attaining the CPP® designation is an excellent investment in your professional development and the credential defines the packaging professional allowing organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions. In an ideal world all companies who are hiring packaging professionals should ensure that the CPP designation is a recognised and required skill-set for the hiring and promotion processes.

The CPP® is the premier designation in the industry, signifying excellence as a packaging professional with the most recent IoPP salary survey revealing that CPPs® earn between 7% and 10% more than their non-certified co-workers.

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.
Next time you meet someone with CPP after their name I would ask that you please congratulate them; as the designation is a significant achievement that deserves recognition by the business they work in and their packaging peers. Isn’t it time that you joined packaging experts from around the world with the Industry’s leading professional designation? Ask the AIP how.

Nerida Kelton MAIP
Executive Director - Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
ANZ Board Member – World Packaging Organisation (WPO)