Engineering

Certificate in Packaging Technology

The Certificate in Packaging Technology provides foundational training in packaging materials, packaging design, packaging processes, printing technology, and quality control. Students learn packaging materials science, packaging design principles, packaging machinery, printing and converting, and packaging quality assurance. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the packaging industry or as a pathway to further studies in printing and packaging technology.

Students develop competencies in packaging materials, packaging design, packaging processes, printing technology, quality control, and packaging machinery operation. The curriculum covers introduction to packaging technology, packaging materials, packaging design, printing and converting, packaging machinery, quality control, packaging safety, and packaging project work. Practical skills are developed through laboratory sessions and workshop practice.

Kenya's packaging industry is growing with increasing demand for packaged goods, food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and industrial packaging. The manufacturing sector requires trained packaging personnel to operate packaging machinery, ensure quality, and develop packaging solutions. The programme addresses the demand for foundational packaging technology skills in Kenya's manufacturing and printing industries.

The programme combines classroom lectures with laboratory sessions, workshop practice, and project work. Students study packaging materials, practise packaging design, operate packaging machinery, and conduct quality control tests. Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, workshop practice, and project-based work. The programme emphasises practical, hands-on packaging technology skills.

Graduates find employment as packaging technicians, packaging machine operators, quality control assistants, or printing assistants in packaging companies, food processing companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and printing firms. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in printing and packaging technology at the Technical University of Kenya.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in packaging, printing, and manufacturing technology, as well as individuals seeking practical technical skills for Kenya's packaging industry. The Technical University of Kenya's strong technical training tradition makes it a leading institution for packaging technology education.

Duration: 1 year
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Packaging Technology
Packaging Materials and Properties
Packaging Design and Development
Printing and Converting Technology
Packaging Machinery and Equipment
Quality Control in Packaging
Packaging Safety and Standards
Food and Pharmaceutical Packaging
Packaging Testing and Evaluation
Packaging Project Work

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Packaging Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to packaging technology covering the packaging industry, packaging functions, packaging types, the packaging supply chain, and the role of packaging in product protection and marketing.
Packaging Materials and Properties
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Packaging materials covering paper and board, plastics, metals, glass, and composite materials, their properties, applications, and selection criteria for different products.
Printing and Converting Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Printing and converting covering printing processes used in packaging (flexography, lithography, gravure), converting operations, and printing quality for packaging applications.
Packaging Design and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Packaging design covering structural design, graphic design for packaging, packaging development process, prototyping, and designing packaging for different product types.
Packaging Machinery and Equipment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Packaging machinery covering filling, sealing, wrapping, labelling, and palletising equipment, machine operation, setup, and basic maintenance of packaging machinery.
Quality Control in Packaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quality control covering packaging quality standards, testing methods, defect identification, statistical quality control, and KEBS packaging standards compliance.
Packaging Safety, Standards and Specialised Packaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Packaging safety covering food packaging safety, pharmaceutical packaging, regulatory requirements, packaging standards, and specialised packaging for sensitive products.
Packaging Project and Practicum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
A packaging project involving designing, producing, and testing packaging for a specific product, and a practicum demonstrating applied packaging technology competencies.

Specialisations

Food Packaging
Focus on food packaging materials, food safety in packaging, and packaging for food products including shelf-life considerations.
Pharmaceutical Packaging
Focus on pharmaceutical packaging requirements, regulatory compliance, and specialised packaging for medical products.
Printing for Packaging
Focus on printing processes used in packaging including flexography, lithography, and gravure for packaging applications.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on packaging materials and design with afternoon laboratory and workshop sessions. Students study packaging materials properties, practise packaging design, operate packaging machinery, and conduct quality control tests. Workshop practice involves hands-on experience with packaging equipment, printing processes, and packaging testing. Project work includes designing and producing packaging solutions for real or simulated products.

The trade offs

In its favour

TUK is Kenya's leading technical university for printing and packaging technology training.
Kenya's growing manufacturing sector creates demand for packaging technology skills.
Provides a pathway to diploma programmes in printing and packaging technology at TUK.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data for this programme is not directly published; estimated from comparable TUK certificate programmes.
The packaging industry in Kenya is relatively specialised, with limited entry-level positions compared to broader engineering fields.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

The fine print

No full certificate programme exists; IOPPK only offers 3-5 day short courses in packaging.

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at public universities.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D+
Alternative entry: KCSE D+ (Plus) or equivalent.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular assessments evaluating understanding of packaging materials, design, and technology theory.
Practical Assessment
Practical assessment40% of the mark
Practical assessments evaluating packaging machinery operation, quality control testing, and packaging production skills.
End of Semester Examinations and Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a packaging project demonstrating applied packaging technology competencies.

Accreditation

The Technical University of Kenya is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
TUK is chartered by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Packaging Technician
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 60,000
Works in packaging companies or manufacturing firms, operating packaging machinery, monitoring packaging processes, and ensuring packaging quality standards are met.
Packaging Machine Operator
Moderate demand
Operates packaging machinery in food processing, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods companies, setting up, running, and maintaining packaging equipment.
Quality Control Assistant
Moderate demand
Assists in quality control for packaging in manufacturing firms, conducting packaging tests, inspecting packaging quality, and ensuring compliance with standards.
Printing Assistant
Low demand
Assists in printing operations for packaging in printing and packaging companies, supporting printing processes and packaging conversion.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as packaging technicians, packaging machine operators, and quality control assistants in packaging companies, food processing firms, and printing companies, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Packaging technology is just about wrapping products.
Packaging technology involves materials science, design engineering, printing technology, quality control, and regulatory compliance for safe and effective product packaging.
Packaging is a declining industry due to environmental concerns.
The packaging industry is evolving with sustainable packaging, smart packaging, and innovative materials, creating new opportunities for trained packaging technologists.
A certificate in packaging technology has limited career value.
Kenya's manufacturing sector requires packaging personnel, and the certificate provides a pathway to diploma programmes in printing and packaging technology.
Packaging technology is the same as printing.
While printing is a component, packaging technology covers materials, design, machinery, quality control, and safety across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial packaging.