Pact and Competenz partnership bridging skills gap

A new pilot training programme developed by Pact Packaging NZ and Competenz is introducing an innovative approach and new avenues for work-based training, facilitating further career opportunities within the plastics manufacturing industry.

Launched in February in Hamilton and Wellington, the programme delivers Level 2, 3 and 4 New Zealand Certificates in Manufacturing to Pact employees keen to upskill. Pact Group People & Culture Business Partner, Roxanne (Rox) Mason, believes it will provide a much-needed stepping stone to training and career progression.

“This programme bridges the gap between unskilled labour and apprenticeship training, with the support of Competenz,” says Rox. 

“Over the years we’ve found that going straight into an apprenticeship can be too much for some employees, so last year we decided to enhance our training offerings to encourage more of our team to take up one of the many qualifications that Competenz offers.

“If you start people at a level too high there’s a greater risk of failure – and if they fail, they may not try again. This programme helps set learners up for success by easing them into training. Competenz was essential in helping us navigate this process and have been a great partner every step of the way.”

Pact Packaging New Zealand Executive General Manager Deanne Holdsworth adds, “Pact recognised a pressing need to support our team through enhanced training programmes, addressing a critical issue in the plastic manufacturing industry. The work that Competenz has partnered with Pact on will help us in our journey to ensuring a continuous process of upskilling and encouraging development and future career paths for our team.”

Having spent 39 years with Pact Group, Technical Manager at the Hamilton Food Packaging Business, Lance Wyatt, has seen first-hand how some employees struggle to complete their training programmes.

“Success breeds success; it builds confidence,” says Lance. “This training gives people a chance to try it out for themselves. Competenz has been excellent, working with us from the very beginning to supply support. With the right support and mentorship anyone can move forward. We want to get people interested in learning again, we want our employees to be lifelong learners.”

Building skills and qualifications delivers a range of benefits, boosting job satisfaction, confidence and career opportunities, strengthening earning power, and expanding pathways to further study and growth. There’s a powerful ripple effect too – as individuals are uplifted, so too are their families and communities.

Says Rox, “This programme is a win-win-win. Not only does it empower our employees and show them how much we value them, but it helps us with recruitment, retention, and succession. Who is going to be our next team leader? Who is going to be our next operations leader? Pact has many real-life success stories of people who have started as school leavers or in operations and worked their way up through the business.”

Ultimately, Pact, with support from Competenz, is undertaking these programmes to ensure that we are laying strong foundations for the future of our teams and community, our business and the New Zealand Plastics Manufacturing industry.”

The plastics manufacturing sector is currently facing a significant skills shortage, and attracting and retaining talent is an industry-wide struggle. Plastics NZ CEO Rachel Barker says investing in workforce development is vital for the future of the industry.

“With an ageing workforce and a growing skills gap, our industry’s future hinges on attracting fresh talent and equipping our existing workforce with the skills to thrive,” says Rachel. “Addressing the skills shortage means investing in comprehensive training pathways and uncovering untapped potential within our teams. By fostering continuous learning and showcasing the opportunities within a circular plastics economy, we can inspire the next generation to build rewarding careers in a sector that’s both innovative and sustainable.”

Lance and Rox hope their new pilot scheme will help shift the dial and create more opportunities for those keen to forge meaningful careers in our sector.

“We need to encourage more people into plastics engineering,” says Rox. “It’s a fantastic sector to get into. The New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing is a stepping stone from which people can either continue with manufacturing to Level 5 and become team leaders in production, or they could branch off and do an engineering apprenticeship. Even if someone decides not to go on to any further study, if this manufacturing qualification is the only qualification they have achieved, imagine how good that will make them feel?”

 “We are hoping for a snowball effect,” Lance says. “Participants doing the programme will start talking about it at work, and when their workmates hear what they’re doing, they’ll feel like they are missing out and want to give it a go too. There’s a big sector skills shortage, not just engineers but right across the board, and we think teaming up with Competenz for this pilot is a great way to tackle it.”

For Competenz Account Manager Paula Langford, partnering with Pact to develop the new programme is a shining example of the benefits of collaboration.

“Through this collaboration we are not only supporting the development of skilled professionals within the plastics sector but also reinforcing the long-term sustainability of the industry by fostering a highly skilled and motivated workforce,” says Paula.

“We’ve worked closely with Pact Group to identify, promote, and deliver a comprehensive career pathway that enables employees to advance in their careers in the plastics industry across all their national sites. The New Zealand Certificate (NZC) in Manufacturing Level 2 programme plays a pivotal role in this initiative by equipping employees with valuable foundation skills and knowledge. This entry-level qualification is not just a starting point—it serves as a key stepping stone in an employee's journey, providing them with the essential competencies to progress further in the plastics sector, with opportunities to enrol in one of our Level 3 or 4 programmes, or pursue an apprenticeship in extrusion blow moulding, injection moulding or thermoforming.”

Paula says as employees progress through the training, they gain the confidence and competence needed to excel in higher-level technical roles and leadership positions, enabling them to carve out rewarding careers in the sector.

“This programme actively promotes the exciting and rewarding opportunities available in the plastics industry. By offering a clear and accessible pathway for career development, this will help to attract, retain, and motivate employees to stay engaged with their professional growth. Whether they aspire to take on technical roles, supervisory positions, or even management opportunities, the career pathways offered by this partnership empowers employees to plan their future career.”

ENDS

For further information, please get in touch with Joe Public Relations: Darlene Thomas 027 285 9251 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Lisa Joe 021 326 662 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.