For the third consecutive year, the AIP has released the key findings from its 2023 Career & Salary Survey for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Nerida Kelton, AIP executive director, said the survey was developed in partnership with the IoPP to provide a more detailed breakdown of the people who make up the industry including their roles, education, experience, career satisfaction, concerns and salaries.
“The report has some interesting findings and certainly highlights one of the key challenges that the industry has right now, which is upskilling industry professionals in the science and technical side of all materials and pack formats,” Kelton said.
According to Professor Pierre Pienaar, AIP education director, the report allows businesses, jobseekers and those hiring to make informed employment decisions.
“If you are growing your team or simply need to retain the talent you have, then for employers the AIP Career & Salary Report gives you the insights you need to have the right team in place to keep your business moving in the right direction,” he added.
“The results in the report indicate that although well qualified, we still have large gaps in the industry where many are not qualified in the science, engineering and/or technology in packaging.
“We need to see more of those working in the packaging industry undertaking courses such as the Certificate in Packaging Technology, Diploma in Packaging Technology, the Fundamentals in Packaging Technology course, and undergraduate/post graduate degrees in packaging disciplines.
“This will go a long way in improving the overall knowledge, improving the skillset in the industry, and to ensure that a technical knowledge void is filled with suitably qualified people. We need more people in packaging that have the qualified technical knowledge to make informed decisions.”
Key Findings:
- 41% of the total respondents have more than 20 years’ experience in the packaging industry. This is an indication of longevity and stable career pathways within the industry.
- 51% of the total respondents have a graduate degree and 26% have an undergraduate degree. This is a continued indication that the industry is highly educated with degree level qualifications.
- 27% of the respondents have a Diploma in Packaging Technology, 11% have a Certificate in Packaging, 10% have completed the Master of Food & Packaging Innovation, and 10% the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology.
- 46% of the total respondents work in the food industry followed by 12% in packaging materials. 10% indicated that they work in the beverage industry.
- 30% of the total respondents indicated that they work in packaging technology/design. This was followed by sales & business development at 17%, and then 16% in research & development
- 46% of the total respondents feel very secure in their job, while 29% are ‘somewhat secure’.
AIP Members can access the full 2023 AIP Career & Salary Survey report by emailing info@aipack.com.au with their request for a copy.
An executive summary is also available to the wider industry here.
Looking ahead, the AIP is pleased to advise that the 2024 Career & Salary Survey is now open for the Australasian region (Australia, New Zealand and Asia), and will close 27 September.
The AIP is seeking input from packaging professionals to ensure that it can develop a definitive resource for the industry for the Australasian region.
Those who complete the confidential survey (including non-members) will receive the final 2024 report from the AIP for free. The deadline to complete this survey is Friday 27 September 2024. To complete the confidential survey please click here.
