Completion of the Diploma in Packaging Technology demonstrates your commitment to your career and to the industry. Delegates who successfully complete the Diploma are equipping themselves for senior positions within the packaging industry. Networking opportunities abound, providing the opportunity to draw on the experience and knowledge of others.

Diploma students are from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and are typically experienced practitioners or managers in technical, sales/marketing, QA, purchasing, engineering or design. The Diploma is a Level 5 qualification (foundation degree level) and students should understand that this is a detailed course, and will therefore usually have an education at least up to UK ‘A’ level standard and/or relevant industry experience.

The Diploma in Packaging Technology is divided into four units. Assessment for units 1-3 is by examination, and for unit 4 by a 5000 word assignment

This Unit will introduce learners to the subject of packaging by examining what packaging is used for and what it does for the product and the user, both within its broad social, economic and marketing context, and meeting its specific functional and aesthetic requirements. Emphasis is placed on understanding product properties and the different and sometimes conflicting requirements and expectations at each stage of the life of the product, and thus deriving packaging solutions to meet these requirements and expectations. Factors which affect the safety and legality of packed products are considered, along with ways of ensuring compliance, and the need to recognise and address environmental impact.   

In this Unit learners study the main packaging materials: glass, metals, paper/board and plastics, along with pack closures, adhesives and labels.

The raw materials, manufacturing processes and conversion processes used for high volume packaging materials and components are studied.  Material properties are discussed, with an emphasis on linking back to "Packaging in Today's World" where performance properties required to meet the functions of packaging were considered.  The properties and uses of the common packaging plastics are investigated, along with ways in which their properties can be modified to broaden their range of performance and uses.  Pack closures and the factors affecting seal integrity are also covered in this Unit, along with adhesives and the typical materials used for labels.

Performance throughout all stages is considered, including packaging line (especially material/machine interfaces), storage and distribution, display and sale, use and disposal by the final consumer.

Market uses and applications, along with the influencing factors which affect current and future usage are also reviewed.

In this Unit, participants study in detail packaging machinery and packaging line operations.

The Unit also introduces participants to many of the management functions associated with the design, development, production and use of packaging materials and components.  These include design, decoration, line operations and quality systems.

The main decoration processes will also be covered and how they relate to the main packaging materials. An understanding of colour, pre press processes and inks will also be covered.  The advantages and disadvantages of each process are discussed, allowing students to select the most appropriate process for a range of packaging materials and components.

Throughout this Unit there is a requirement for a high level of knowledge and understanding of materials properties, as studied in "Packaging Materials and Components".