Minister welcomes Vickerstock recruitment

Vickerstock will sponsor four students in their certificate in packaging materials as part of their Diploma in Packaging Technology.

Demand for packaging technologists is increasing in preparation for April 2022, when the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) comes in to effect in GB and NI. The Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging produced in, or imported into, the UK, but will not apply to any plastic packaging which contains at least 30% recycled plastic, or any packaging which is not predominantly plastic by waste.

This means large packaging manufacturers are looking to more sustainable alternatives in their packaging production. Recognizing the growing demand for skilled packaging technologists, Vickerstock Recruitment are keen to invest in the future experts of this area, sponsoring four students towards their diploma in CAFRE’s Packaging Technology course.

Paul Muir, Vickerstock’s Senior specialist Recruiter for the FMCG/Agri-Food sector NI said: “This partnership with CAFRE fits with the wider vision of our company to promote and encourage career opportunity and entry into one of Ireland’s most important sectors, we hope that this will provide another stepping stone in career development, future success of the students and benefits to the industry as a whole.”

Ron Gardiner, Senior Packaging Technologist at CAFRE explained: “I welcome the investment from Vickerstock to support CAFRE students to achieve a Packaging Technology qualification. This will help to ensure that the agri-food and packaging sectors have access to graduates with both the knowledge and skills required to address the challenges and opportunities presented by legislative change and consumer preferences.”

Environment Minister Edwin Poots added: “It is unacceptable that far too much plastic ends up as pollution in our environment or waste in our landfills. It’s time to rethink how we produce plastic packaging and also how we can keep plastic in use for as long as possible by repeatedly recycling and reusing it. These future packaging technologists can play a very important role in developing the circular economy in Northern Ireland and encouraging the use of recycled material.”

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