Arden and Glossop Cartons initiative with BPIF

Two UK-based companies have joined forces in a bid to address the skills shortage within the packaging industry. Arden Dies and Glossop Cartons have teamed up to try and attract more young people, both male and female, into the sector.

The two family-owned companies will tour schools, colleges and job clubs across the region to promote the benefits of manufacturing and engineering careers within the sustainable packaging sector. The partnership comes after the British Chamber of Commerce revealed the manufacturing industry is facing its greatest skills shortage in 30 years.

Martin Poynter, Managing Director at Arden Dies, said, “There’s a real lack of awareness among young people coming through the education system today about the opportunities available within the packaging and printing sectors. This is a booming industry, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract new talent and this issue is compounded by an ageing workforce across the sector, so it’s more crucial than ever that we find the next generation of skilled workers. We’re delighted to join forces with Glossop Cartons, who as a family-owned company like ourselves, share our values and commitment to delivering sustainable packaging. Together we hope to show young people that the packaging industry can provide a bright and promising career path.” 

Glossop Cartons, which was established in 1982 and produces cartonboard products, already has a number of successful educational partnerships and provides work experience placements and careers talks in Stockport schools, but hopes the partnership with Arden will helpthem reach even more young people across the North West. Jacky Sidebottom-Every, joint Managing Director at Glossop Cartons, and who also sits on the board of the British Printing Industries Federation, says she’d like to see more women considering a career in the packaging sector. She said, “It is crucial that we are active and dynamic in promoting the packaging industry as a career choice to both men and women. It’s a fantastic industry with lots of varied, high-tech machinery and demanding roles that need to attract high-calibre trainees to both secure continuity of skills and also the sustainability of our industry going forward. Traditionally, the printing and carton industries have been quite male-orientated environments and it’s rare to see women in the technical roles, but this should not be and must not be the case. There is no reason at all why women should not embrace the rewarding careers and opportunities available to them in the modern printing sector.”

As part of the scheme, the two companies will even be targeting primary schools to run educational sessions on trees, recycling and sustainability in a bid to introduce the packaging supply chain to children from a young age. Schools, educational institutions or jobs clubs interested in finding out more about the careers programme, can contact the British Printing Industries Federation  

Jane Brocklehurst from Glossop Cartons chats to students during a careers talk.

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