The Packaging Society devised a one-day awareness raising course to address this problem. The programme comprised a combination of basic plastics science with details of the manufacturing process and how this met customer needs.

Over a period of two months, the course was taken by all staff, in mixed groups. Not only was the learning successful, but the arrangements also helped workers from different sections get to know each other a little better and become aware of some problems their colleagues faced.

At the end of the day, staff had a test, in the form of a pub-type quiz. There were small prizes for the winners and everyone received a certificate to confirm that they had been through the course.

The course has now been incorporated into the company's staff induction programme.

'Given UB's investment in growth and innovation we were looking for specialist training in packaging to enhance the skills base of our employees. We felt that the Institute of Packaging was the best place to start looking for this type of training. Corporate Partnering was an attractive alternative to traditional qualifications or short-courses as we are able to tailor the content to suit our particular market. To ensure that the knowledge employees gain is understood, theory classes have been supported by site visits to factories and suppliers where applicable' says Barry Pamplin, European Packaging Technology Controller, United Biscuits.

In the first phase of training United Biscuits sent over 30 employees, ranging from New product Development, Purchasing and Group Technical personnel to Factory Maintenance and Engineering Operatives.

David Jackson was one employee who undertook training through Corporate Partnering. David commended:

'I really enjoyed and benefited from the course. Like many people I drifted into packaging after being in the right place at the right time. I was expected to pick it up as I went along, and to cadge a bit of training here and there from a supplier. The problem with this approach is that you don't know what questions to ask, or even that there are questions. Then when a problem appears out of the blue, others take pleasure in saying that it should have been foreseen. Having a well thought out and integrated programme of training has filled many gaps in my knowledge, but of equal importance, it has brought the group packaging team together in situations other than meeting for a specific issue. We were able to compare experiences, can now put faces to names and perhaps feel that we have friends at the various sites.'

As an indication of its success, United Biscuits is continuing its Corporate Partner Training Programmes into fifth year and also hopes to extend it to its European operations.