Packaging value chain circular economy expert
Code: 23JPAKE
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Description
The packaging sector is growing in several industries, such as the plastics and forestry industries. Massive amounts of packaging waste is generated both as by-products of industry and from consumers who use packaging. Since recyclable and reusable packaging materials have been brought up as an important part of the EU's circular economy action plan, companies and industry should also consider this more. Training is needed in the entire packaging value chain.
Packaging value chain circular economy expert is a 30 ECTS working life oriented continuous learning entity for those working in the packaging value chain and who want to develop their circular economy competences and ability to work effectively and innovatively in a digitized working environment. The training's goal is to promote digitalization and the green transition by providing circular economy knowledge and practical skills for the changing working life. The education promotes for thriving in versatile and new types of work of the future in a situation where the packaging industry is growing strongly, together with the clear renewal of forest and plastic industries, which supply raw materials for packaging.
The learning entity consists of six 5 ECTS of modules that comprehensively and holistically consider the packaging value chain from different perspectives: sustainable materials and raw materials, sustainable design and production processes, management and utilization of side streams, consumer and citizen participation, circular economy and business, innovation challenge.
Objectives
The circular economy specialist in the packaging value chain training is suitable for you if you already have experience from packaging or work in the packaging value chain, for example in the retail sector, forest or process industry. You want to develop your circular economy expertise in the packaging value chain and your ability to work efficiently and innovatively in a digitized working environment.
The training is a working life-oriented entity, which will improve the conditions for your success in future work. The training supports the restructuring of the Finnish business life and employment in the packaging industry's value chains in the circular transition and beyond. Education contributes to the green transition. You will gain knowledge and skills to promote the circular economy and understand its development possibilities in your own work. The background of the training is influenced by Finnish and EU-level packaging regulations; therefore, you will also take over the key value chain of the EU's circular economy action plan and the changes in the relevant regulations. You will gain knowledge and understanding of how you and your business activities can respond to the tightening packaging regulations, and at the same time produce added value for the various actors in the value chain.
After completing the training, you will have a holistic view of the circular economy of packaging, which is formed through essential themes: sustainable materials and raw materials, sustainable design and production processes, management and utilization of side streams, involvement of consumers and citizens, circular economy, and business. Your ability to innovate sustainable solutions will also improve. A comprehensive view of the distinct parts of the packaging value chain forms the basis for systems thinking from the packaging perspective. You will also be able to restructure and change such modes of thinking that tend to create and maintain challenges. By completing the training, you will also take over various digital methods to make work more efficient. For example, remote teamwork, considering the sustainability of digitalization, and business promotion opportunities.
Optionality
All compulsory
Curriculum development and working life cooperation
The curriculum was developed in cooperation with companies in the Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliances (KA) PackAlliance project in 2020–2022. The training is carried out in close cooperation with working life representatives.
| Code | Name | Credits (cr) |
|---|---|---|
| 2Z00GA92 | Circular Economy and Business | 5 |
| 2Z00GA91 | Consumer and Citizen Engagement | 5 |
| 2Z00GA93 | Innovation Challenge | 5 |
| 2Z00GA90 | Side Streams' Management and Utilization | 5 |
| 2Z00GA89 | Sustainable Design and Production Processes | 5 |
| 2Z00GA88 | Sustainable Materials and Raw Materials | 5 |