Packaging technologist

Packaging technologists design and develop packaging for different products.

• Starter salary£23,000 a year
• Experienced£40,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 42 a week
• Green jobPotential

What you'll do

As a packaging technologist you could:

• produce sample packaging to test different materials and designs
• run production trials
• make sure packaging meets quality standards and is safe
• work closely with product designers and production engineers
• research ways to make packaging more environmentally friendly
• write technical reports

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory, in a factory or in an office.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a packaging technologist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree, a higher national diploma or a degree in packaging technology or packaging design.

Employers may also accept subjects like:

• materials science
• food technology
• 3D design
• chemistry

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You can apply for a Packaging Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take 4 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Work

You could start as an assistant technologist or designer and do further training on the job to become a professional packaging technologist.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into:

• product design
• brand design
• project management
• marketing and sales

You could also work freelance as a packaging consultant.

Guides for this industry

• IT & Technology: pay, interviews and getting started →

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