You could do a foundation degree, a higher national diploma or a degree in packaging technology or packaging design.

Employers may also accept subjects like:

• materials science
• food technology
• 3D design
• chemistry

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You can apply for a Packaging Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take 4 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

You could start as an assistant technologist or designer and do further training on the job to become a professional packaging technologist.

Further information

You can learn more about the packaging industry from the Packaging Group.

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As a packaging technologist you could:

• produce sample packaging to test different materials and designs
• run production trials
• make sure packaging meets quality standards and is safe
• work closely with product designers and production engineers
• research ways to make packaging more environmentally friendly
• write technical reports

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a packaging technologist to be a green job, you could:

• design packaging that can be reused many times
• reduce the amount of product packaging to cut down on waste
• create clear labelling to help customers understand what can be recycled

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a laboratory, in a factory or in an office.

You may need to wear protective clothing.