Packaging industry drives paradigm change in education

Purdue Dean Niaz Latif and RACC Vice-President John Devere both discussed the necessity and the reality of this new education model at the Training Community of Practice (COP) breakfast held Tuesday morning at PackExpo.

This new model permits full time students or incumbent workers in training programs to earn competency-based credits and credentials without having to repeat classes in topics that the student has already mastered.  As industries close and dislocated workers need to transition to new industries and new jobs, the schools evaluate students based upon industry-identified needs and customize programs that fill in the students’ gaps in competencies rather than force students through one-size-fits-all classes.   Industrial training articulates to college credit without significant additional fees.  Credit classes include hands-on experience and lead to industry certifications.

Traditionally, credit and non-credit programs have sometimes found themselves at odds within educational institutions.  Students, employers and workers have paid the price.  Purdue and RACC seem to have found the solution and hopefully other schools will follow.