Simplot Australia makes history again with first Certified Packaging Professional in Training (CPIT) for Australasia
Sigrid Tusek AAIP, Packaging Development Officer, Simplot Australia, made history today by being the first person in Australasia to attain the Certified Packaging Professional in Training (CPIT) designation; offered exclusively through the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). As the newest and youngest member of the Simplot packaging team the newly-launched CPIT Designation was ideally suited to Sigrid’s level of packaging knowledge.
The Certified Packaging Professional In Training (CPIT)® designation is a registered trademark of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and is now internationally recognised by both IoPP and AIP. If you are wanting to jumpstart your packaging career, are new to the industry or looking to gain non-technical knowledge and understanding of packaging then the Certified Packaging Professional in Training (CPI) designation is perfect.
The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) asked Sigrid Tusek about what the C0ertified Packaging Professional in Training (CPIT) Designation means to her…
Q: How long have you been in the industry? What are your areas of expertise?
I have only been in the packaging industry for just over a year; six months in a part time role with Caps and Closures with exposure to injection moulding and the last six months full time with Simplot as a Packaging Development Officer.
I previously worked as a Design Engineer with the Bayly Group and completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design Engineering) with the Swinburne University of Technology. I have noticed many similarities between product design and packaging with an overlap of materials and manufacturing.
Q: What made you apply for the Certified Packaging Professional in Training (CPIT) Designation?
Since recently embarking on a career in packaging highlighted that it is like learning a completely new language, so I wanted to be fully-immersed and the CPIT designation has allowed this opportunity and knowledge. The packaging team at Simplot have also been a huge influence as they are an inspiring group of packaging professionals, supporting and encouraged me to undertake this goal.
Q: How important is attaining the CPIT designation to you as an individual?
The CPIT designation was important for me to develop an overall, fundamental knowledge of packaging and working towards the designation was very motivational. It has been a valuable developmental step and has empowered me as a new starter in the industry.
Q: How does the CPIT designation help someone who is either new to the industry or for someone looking to gain non-technical packaging knowledge for their role?
Being new to the industry, the multifaceted world of packaging was quite overwhelming. Working towards the CPIT designation offered a framework for learning, provided valuable insights and further developed my knowledge about that world.
Q: How important is the CPP designation for the greater recognition of new people in to the packaging industry?
The CPP designation is important as an incentive to new people starting out in the packaging industry. It recognises professionals who are both academically qualified and have extensive industry experience. It inspires new people to be committed to the industry, to build their knowledge and to contribute to the packaging industry. Being an internationally recognised qualification the CPIT Designation provides a great professional goal.