I touched on Dr. R. Andrew Hurley and Package InSight in one of my recent L&NW columns, The Bottom Line. One initiative I didn’t mention in that article was Andrew’s Packaging School.

Hurley launched Packaging School five years ago in response to a steady stream of emails he received from adults looking for more industry knowledge. Through a curriculum developed at Clemson University, students ranging from recent high school graduates to professionals can develop a thorough understanding of the packaging industry and receive a license in the field.

Real-world application with a 99% placement rate
The Packaging School’s courses are taught online. The license requirements includes a series of 12 courses taught by top packaging professionals. The courses are organized by lessons, which are composed of units and cover 3-5 learning goals over an hour-long engagement period.

These are real-world application goals, with information tailored to meet the student’s professional growth. I like the approach, especially since only 11% of college students get a job after graduation. Academic packaging science programs boast a 99% placement rate.

Why such a high rate? It’s because the graduates of packaging science programs speak the “language of packaging.” A successful career is really built around speaking a different language, and I’m not referring to Spanish or Mandarin, although those skills will get you places, too. I’m talking about the language of your trade or industry. Accountants speak the language of accounting. IT developers speak the language of computer coding. Label printers speak the language of the label industry.  You need to learn the language of packaging.

Filling the chasm
What’s smart about the Packaging School is they’re filling a niche – I’ll call it a chasm – between the theoretical approach of colleges and universities, and the on-the-job education provided by the work world.

I like the pragmatism of the Packaging School’s approach. Opening a brick-and-mortar school would take significant investment and time. The school is less about a beautiful campus and more about applicable thinking. It also realistically fits into our everyday lifestyles, especially working professionals. Online learning allows for maximum flexibility and zero travel time. Yet we all know that ongoing learning is critical for success.

To learn more (and you should), send Dr. Hurley a note at [email protected] and check out the certificate program here.


Rock LaManna is the author of L&NW’s popular column, The Bottom Line. Rock helps printing owners and CEOs use their company financials to prioritize and choose the proper strategic path. He is President and CEO of the LaManna Alliance, and provides guidance on how to grow a printing business, merge with a synergistic partner, make a strategic acquisition, or create a succession plan. Rock can be reached by email at [email protected].