PMMI's Education Committee has several new and ongoing initiatives to help engage the workforce of the future through grassroots programs achieved by working with machinery manufacturers on regional efforts around the country. 

Jeff Bigger

Q: What initiatives are already in place?

A: In our scholarship program, nearly $40,000 is awarded annually to students attending community colleges and technical schools that train mechanics and technicians to work in packaging machinery. The money provided goes directly to students in PMMI-member partner schools and is used for tuition, books and other school-related expenses. 

Another important initiative that helps build excitement about our industry among students is the Travel Scholarship Program that funds students from PMMI-member partner schools to attend PACK EXPO. Hundreds of students take part each year and it's an excellent opportunity for them to get hands-on experience with the scope of the industry, the latest technology advances and potential career opportunities. 

Also, while they are at PACK EXPO, the students get involved in the Packaging Solutions contest in which schools compete against each other for cash prizes and the Amazing Packaging Race in which they tour the show floor, interact with exhibitors and learn about the industry in a creative and engaging way. 

Two newer programs are the certification program in Mechatronics and online learning programs. Both support skills development in the areas of assembly, servicing and other competencies important to the industry. 

Q: Your committee recently created a focused program for high schools to expose younger students to career opportunities in packaging. What are the program goals and how will it be rolled out around the country?

A: This is such an important new effort that our committee is dividing into two subcommittees to better focus on our overall mission. One subcommittee will oversee the educational resources-such as the scholarship, certification and online learning programs-and the other subcommittee will be responsible for community/regional engagement.

For years, PMMI members have been launching efforts on their own to educate prospective employees and hire people from their own communities. Our committee's goal in this respect is to support those programs and help them expand by providing assistance and best practices. The ultimate goal is to launch this effort across the country where we can work with OEMs in each region and involve local stakeholders, including high schools, tech schools, colleges, chambers of commerce and end users in those communities. 

In Minnesota, we recently formed a consortium comprised of five manufacturers, the local tech college and the an economic development group, who work on a local basis to provide timely, relevant information to students and gain positive public relations about packaging and the unique opportunities it provides in that locale. Visit www.alexandriapmmc.com for more information.

To learn more or to get involved in these initiatives, contact Danny Martinez at PMMI at 703-243-8555 or [email protected].

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