Women in Packaging Q&A

What type of activities does Women In Packaging offers?
Today, Women In Packaging is mostly a networking organisation, bringing together women from across the industry for events to share experiences, learn from each other and feel connected.  A number of networking events have been held across the UK to date and over 500 women are currently on the WIP database.  Going forward, assuming the industry is supportive, we are looking to develop a mentoring programme as well as a recognition awards programme to highlight success stories and increase the attractiveness of the industry.

What do you believe are the current barriers discouraging women from entering the industry and how has this changed over time?

Rather than being a specific gender issue, we believe the packaging industry simply isn’t recognised as an attractive industry by those leaving secondary or tertiary education.  There is very little specific packaging education in the UK today which therefore creates a lack of awareness and desire for recent school students or graduates to apply to what is a vibrant, successful and broad ranging industry in the UK.
What we do know is that:

63.6% of girls achieve 5 or more GCSEs at grade A* to C or equivalent, including English and mathematics, GCSEs compared to 54.2% of boys.

57% is the proportion of first degree graduates that are women.

50% of those on apprenticeships are women. The number of women doing apprenticeships has risen from 138,000 in 2009/10 to 330,000 in 2010/11

We should therefore see more women entering the industry. However, it is worth noting that only 1 in 5 female graduates takes up a degree in business and finance, sciences or engineering, despite almost half of graduate degrees being in these subjects. We therefore have an education issue hampering the number of women entering the packaging industry in these disciplines.

What steps are required to recognise the diversity challenge and what can the industry do to encourage women to take up a career in the industry?

We need to come together as an industry to ensure the packaging curriculum is supported in the primary and secondary education system.  My daughter at the age of 8 could happily understand what modified atmosphere packaging was and the benefits to the supply chain.  However, her packaging curriculum experience in school was painting pizza boxes!  Packaging companies need to get involved by supplying packaging, offering support and suggesting ideas to help with education locally.  
We particularly need decent University packaging courses - the content is enormous when you consider the number of packaging formats and processes available today.  We need to allow the industry to be recognised as fundamental to the food supply chain and supportive of food science degrees, along with other manufacturing/business/engineering curricula.  Again, this isn’t a gender based issue.  The girls have the qualifications - they’re just not targeted to be attracted into the industry.

How do you feel the industry will benefit from a more diverse workforce? (Not only women but culture, race, lifestyle, gender, etc.)

Diversity is more than just a buzz-word. In today's workplace, it can hold the key to fostering new ways of thinking, reaching out to a wider range of customers and grow your business.  Our workforce and working patterns are changing. The business world is becoming smaller, more globalised and therefore competitive and our working population is getting older.  Therefore, increasing the number of women and people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds entering the workforce will help meet these challenges that have the potential to disrupt our competitiveness.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in the packaging industries?

Come on in! This is a broad, complex and exciting industry with a lot of opportunities for growth and progression.  The sheer number of pack formats, companies in the supply chain from concept to consumer and processes means there is a wide range of opportunities for students through to mature employees to take up diverse roles.

To hear more about the gender balance in the UK packaging industry and how WIP are working to attract, retain and recognise women in this vibrant sector, join Joanna Stephenson at the PPMA Total Show 2016 on Thursday 29th September at 13.00 in the seminar theatre.