Several millions of years ago, people hunted for food and soon they realized that they could keep their food longer if they protected it. Therefore, they made pockets out of large leaves and animal skin and kept water in containers made out of coconut shells and dried skins of vegetables. Gradually, packaging came into existence to take care of consumer goods, medicine and food and packaging was introduced in the year 1875 by Mr. Henry J. Packaging.

Packaging is heavily integrated into our day to day lives and we see it around us. Packaging is the technology, science and art of enclosing or protecting products for selling, using, storing and distribution. Packaging also refers to the process of production, evaluation and designing of packages. Is it used for several purposes like:

• Colorful designing and carrying information that make attractive displays

• Facilitating transportation and storing of products

• Protection of products from contamination from theft and environmental damages

• Defining the amount of content in a pack

Packaging acts as bridge between manufacturing and marketing, every product irrespective of whether manufactured or grown must be packed in such a way that it reaches the consumers in an acceptable condition. Packaging is normally considered as an essential component of our modern lifestyle and it is regarded as a need for economic development and industrial growth of the nation.

Courses available in the field of packaging:

A wide range of courses are being offered by different institutions in India and abroad pertaining to packaging and the list of courses is given below:

• Three-month Intensive course in Packaging

• Three-year Diploma in Packaging Technology

• One-Year Packaging Management course

• Four-Year B. Tech in Packaging Technology

• Two-Year Post Graduate Diploma in Packaging

• One-Year Graduate Technology course in Packaging

Industrial need in packaging technology:

Packaging Coordinators and Directors are in great demand in industries and it is highly desirable that the executive incharge of packaging must either know or have access to technical knowledge on the methods and materials for construction of packages. The courses in the field of packaging combines many skills pertaining to packaging of plastic/wood/glass and textiles and materials, machines and marketing considered for packaging.

Government jobs in packaging industry:

When it comes to government jobs in packaging industry, candidates can find job placements in Indian Institute of Packaging, which not only offers courses in packaging technology, but also offers a wide range of employment opportunities to suitable candidates.

Recent government job notification:

Recently, the Indian Institute of Packaging called for applications from eligible candidates for the following positions:

• Junior Stenographer

• Hindi Officer

• Assistant Director

• Joint Director

• Professor

These positions clearly indicate that candidates with education background in printing technology alone not only find job placement in this field, but candidates from other educational background can also find job placement in the packaging industry. Thus, packaging industry is not only helpful for packaging of products, but also enables many people to earn their living by offering job opportunities to people with any type of educational background.