How packaging can compete for workforce development $'s

Federal, state and local government agencies can provide significant financial assistance to an industry segment for the updating of skills and technology. Programs such as the Presidents High Growth Job Training Initiative and similar state initiatives target industry clusters that are perceived to offer high growth and stability, often as the result of underlying high-tech. Is packaging getting its share of these dollars? Probably not- but it can. Here are some hints.

On the surface, packaging isn't perceived as an industry. It is an embedded component of many other industries: food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, electronics,…. This is problem one. Packaging isn't perceived as high growth – problem two. And packaging isn't perceived as being high-tech – problem three. When the money pie is divided up, with this set of perceptions, packaging won't be at the table.

But, can we change these perceptions? You bet we can, and some are beginning to do so.

The first step is to look at industries in your area that are growing and sustainable and employ packaging equipment or operations. The chart here (click to expand) shows the California Wine Cluster, certainly a cluster that government would want to support. On this chart, I count at least 8 boxes that touch the packaging industry. If government supports packaging, it supports the wine cluster 8 times over. Or, if government supports the wine cluster, there are 8 opportunities for the packaging industry to benefit.

For packaging to get its piece of the pie, it needs to be associated with regionally recognized high growth industry clusters. In California, that may be wine. In New Jersey, that may be pharmaceuticals. In South Central Pennsylvania, the local Workforce Investment Boards have associated food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices with packaging. Both state and federal funding has been made available to support the technology needs of packagers across this region.

The perception of packaging has been changed in this region. Packaging has been recognized as a key component of industry clusters that are important to the region. It has been recognized that packaging jobs grow along with these clusters. And, it has been recognized that packaging jobs are increasingly being upgraded or up-skilled as the underlying technology advances. The region is creating itself as a center of excellence for packaging operations.

If you are a packager or packaging machinery manufacturer, you can find levers in your region that will help you get your piece of the pie.

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