PIABC Level 5 Award for a Packaging Related Research Project
The PIABC Level 5 Award for a Packaging Related Research Project (QN: 603/7508/5) is a nationally recognised packaging qualification which has been designed to enable candidates to apply what they know and have learned about packaging to a concrete research project perhaps in their own company or work experience company. The qualification provides a useful complementary qualification for those on HNC/D or degree programmes in packaging design, food science/technology, and materials science/engineering.
It is suitable for those wanting to enhance their employment and progression opportunities in the packaging and related industries and there are two broad target groups:
- People currently employed in parts of the industry who want to broaden their knowledge and understanding and take on greater levels of responsibility. Due to the diverse nature of the packaging and related industries, it is difficult to define this target group in terms of precise job functions. Typically, students are likely to be working at the practitioner or manager level in any of the following disciplines:
- People who are not currently employed in the packaging industry, which may be following courses in associate subject areas such as packaging design, food science/technology, and materials science/engineering, will find that this programme broadens the scope of their studies.
The recommended minimum entry requirements for this programme are 1 GCE A level and 5 GCSEs at grade A – C, including one science subject, and the key skills of numeracy, communication and information technology, or the PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging qualification. Alternatively, learners should be able to clearly demonstrate, for example through experience in the packaging industry, that they are likely to succeed in the programme of study.
This qualification is assessed through the production of a research project on a topic chosen by the candidate. The project report should evidence that the candidate is able to organise and carry out packaging-related research project and present their research in a report which demonstrates the learner knows how to use and apply the relevant theory and knowledge.