Packaging Professional Degree Apprenticeship

Summary

This apprenticeship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in corrugated packaging design, learn about sustainable materials, and work closely with a team of experienced designers and industry professionals, learning the ins and outs of designing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

Annual wage: £16,770 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 6 January
Duration: 4 years
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As an apprentice, You will assist in developing packaging concepts, creating prototypes, and collaborating with various teams, from concept to production, ensuring functionality, cost-efficiency and sustainability.

Assist in the design and development of corrugated packaging solutions for a variety of products.
Work with the design team to create prototypes and samples.
Produce physical samples of corrugated cardboard boxes and packaging designs based on blueprints, specifications, and customer requirements.
Operate a digital CNC Cutter to create accurate samples.
Inspect all samples for accuracy, durability, and compliance with client specifications.
Test sample functionality, including strength, weight-bearing capacity, and structural integrity.
Ensure the final samples meet design and functional criteria, including dimensions, strength, and aesthetics.
Maintain detailed records of sample specifications, adjustments, and customer feedback.
Ensure proper storage, tracking and dispatch of physical samples for future reference.
Manage the sample board stock levels.
Ensure machine operators have appropriate drawing files for each job.
Reviewing and signing off on design drawings, verifying accuracy, functionality, and compliance with project requirements.
Collaborate with production and engineering teams to understand project requirements, and ensure designs are manufacturable and meet quality standards.
Gain an understanding of machines' capabilities to deliver value to the customer through efficiency and cost control.
Learn to use CAD software and other design tools to create detailed technical drawings and 3D models for costing and customer approval.
Gain a complete understanding of all raw materials available, their properties and best use.
Learn and understand machine specifications to give the best routing for the projects.
Liaise with tool manufacturers on new or replacement tooling.
Liaise with suppliers to obtain costings for new projects.
Support artwork process coordination with an external supplier.
Contribute to research and development of sustainable packaging materials and techniques.
Assist in preparing costings and proposals for clients and internal stakeholders.
Participate in client meetings to discuss design requirements and present design concepts.
Stay updated on industry trends, new materials, and emerging technologies in packaging design.

Your job title does not limit your duties and the Company may require you from time to time to undertake any other duties within your capability.

Where you’ll work

Unit A1

41 Lattersey Hill Trading Estate, Benwick Road, Whittlesey

Peterborough

PE7 2JA

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

Your training course

Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Translate customer briefs to determine a technical packaging brief, which considers business, consumer, operational and sustainability requirements.

Identify, design, develop and source packaging solutions demonstrating best value, environmental impact and fitness for purpose to meet briefs.

Critically analyse and apply packaging design options against complex inter-related touchpoints to meet the needs from design to end of life, e.g. environmental impact using life cycle assessment.

Liaise and coordinate with other stakeholders (e.g. supplier, R&D, marketing, finance, technical) to deliver packaging development projects. When appropriate take the lead and drive the project.

Initiate and lead projects, using project management tools and skills to deliver projects to time, cost, specification and quality.

Identify and control project risks through mitigation plans.

Define parameters, design of experiments, success criteria and protocols for projects appropriate to the brief.

Lead the design and management of packaging trials (e.g. prototypes, production of samples, transit, shelf life, sensory, machine-ability).

Document and evaluate trials at different project stages (e.g. laboratory, pilot plant, supplier, filling and packing, transit and distribution) recommending further activities.

Report results and conclusions. Hypothesise and recommend further adaptions and optimisations.

Ensure compliance with packaging and market regulatory requirements.

Demonstrate financial acumen, e.g. managing budget(s); interpreting financial data and evaluating total product costs and their impact throughout the value chain.

Investigate and interpret non-conformance issues related to Packaging. Resolve using root cause analysis and apply change management.

Effectively communicate with stakeholders at different levels, building positive working relationships; influencing and persuading key stakeholders effectively.

Translate business strategy into internal and external capability building programmes (e.g. supplier quality improvement programmes).

Demonstrate critical thinking, analytical and statistical skills to evaluate and interpret complex information and data (e.g. process capability).

Proactively identify opportunities to improve packaging based on an analysis of costs, continuous improvement, environmental impact, waste avoidance and process improvements.

Provide comprehensive technical services to internal colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Coach and/or mentor.

Use visual and digital tools systems, e.g. project management, computer aided engineering, business management systems, palletisation software.

Your training plan

You will be required to attend Sheffield Hallam University on a series of short study blocks.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

A Level in:

Any subject (grade BBC / Distinction Merit Merit)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Team working
Creative

Other requirements

• Flexibility to travel as needed for site visits and training (Sheffield Hallam University) • Ability to lift and handle materials, including cardboard sheets and boxes. • Standing for extended periods and performing manual tasks with precision.

About this company

We are the No. 1 company in Europe producing corrugated packaging, containerboard and ‘bag in box’, and we are the only Pan-American producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging. We offer an unrivalled portfolio of paper-packaging solutions, which we constantly update with new, market-leading innovations. This offering is made even stronger, with the benefits of our integration – with optimal paper design, logistics, our service timeline and the benefit of our plants sourcing material from our own paper mills.

After this apprenticeship

After completion of the apprenticeship, you may have an opportunity to progress to either Senior Designer or Technical Sales Manager.

Ask a question

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