Image 1. (center) Joe Keller, (top left – then clockwise) Clark Sabattus, Saewhan Kim, Mary Paz Alvarez, and Jorge Masis
Image 1. (center) Joe Keller, (top left – then clockwise) Clark Sabattus, Saewhan Kim, Mary Paz Alvarez, and Jorge Masis

The Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) is always striving to make sure our workers are the most knowledgeable around. Our goal is for all of our students to graduate as excellent future employees for our industry members. They receive training and attend courses both through the university and through industry partners in order to stay current with the knowledge and procedures needed to benefit the packaging and distribution industries. The Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional certification offered by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is an excellent way for packaging professionals to showcase their understanding of the distribution packaging design and ISTA testing process.

Usually, these certifications are completed by industry professionals, but years ago, CPULD decided that all of its undergraduate student would complete the training needed to receive the basic level of certification, called the Technician Level. After receiving the Technician certification and the necessary lab experience, all of our graduate students will move up to the Technologist Level of certification. This ensures that when an industry member brings a question or project to CPULD, they know that it will be researched or completed by individuals who are qualified and certified to find the answers they need.

This year, we have already had graduate students, Mary Paz Alvarez, Jorge Masis, Saewhan Kim, Clark Sabattus and Joe Keller earn their Technologist level certificates thru ISTA. Congratulation to all of our talented students.