PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging

Learners on the Certificate in Packaging course come from a variety of areas, but generally have twelve months experience of the sector.  You may be embarking on a technical career within the industry and looking for the training that will provide you with a solid bed of information that you can build on, alternatively you may be more experienced and working within a supporting role in the business.  The course is at a level equivalent to GCE A-levels and we expect learners to have good basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The Certificate is split into six modules and at the end of these you should understand:

1. The roles and functions of packaging
2. The packaging development process
3. Packaging sustainability
4. Major packaging materials and formats
5. Printing and decoration processes
6. Key operations on a packing line

These learning outcomes are assessed through a formal, closed-book examination to test your knowledge and an open-book assignment on a topic set by PIABC on an annual basis.

The PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging has two assessment methods and you must achieve both to complete the qualification:

1. Formal, closed-book written examination testing the knowledge you have learnt throughout the course.  This 2-hour paper consists of short answer questions.
2. Written assignment on a topic set by PIABC on an annual basis. 

The PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging course has a recommended total learning time of approximately 139 hours split across working your way through the course content, revising, sitting the exam and researching and writing your assignment.  We expect our learners to take 6 to 12 months to complete the qualification.

The examination must be sat during one of PIABC's two examination series which take place in June and November each year. 

To help you to make good progress through your course and complete it in a timely manner we have  put together the following suggestions.. 

• Start your assignment after the course and aim to submit it by the end of August
• Sit the course exam during the November examination series

• Start your assignment once you have worked through the course material.  It should take you around 3 months to write and you can then submit it for marking
• You are welcome to sit the exam whenever you feel ready to do so, but remember to give yourself plenty of time for revision.

We offer our PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging course in two formats and the price varies depending on which option you choose. 

• Our classroom course costs £2065 (+VAT at 20% where applicable) which includes lunch and refreshments
• Our online course costs £1370 (+VAT at 20% where applicable).

IOM3 members and subscribers to our Business Partner Programme are entitled to a discount of 10% on the course fee.

There is an additional awarding body fee of £195 (VAT free).  This covers your registration with PIABC, one sitting of each of the assessment methods and certification on completion of the qualification.