Esko Invests in Packaging Workforce with Technology Donation

Esko makes a multi-million-dollar technology donation, underlining its continued commitment to supporting packaging engineering students and future generations of packaging industry workers.

The new software upgrades and education partner license renewals ensure college and university students across the U.S benefit from Esko solutions, giving them the hands-on experience they can use in the real world upon graduation.

Melissa Plemen, Esko senior director of inside sales and marketing, says, “As a company, we invest heavily in developing new technology to streamline and simplify the packaging design and production process. We believe it is just as important to also invest in those who represent the future of our industry. We have supported schools across the country in this way for a number of years now, and we are delighted to again continue that support with this latest significant donation in kind.”

Esko announces this latest investment ahead of the commencement of the new school year. Among the more-than-30 schools utilizing Esko software are Appalachian State University, Clemson University, Cal Polytech State, Dunwoody College of Technology, Eastern Washington University, Illinois State, Indiana State University, Michigan State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Ryerson University, University of Wisconsin – Stout, and Virginia Tech.

“As technological advances lead to changes within the sector, we believe it’s vitally important that the industry supports the education and training of young people as we drive to develop and inspire the packaging experts of the future,” says Plemen. “The last 12 months alone have seen huge leaps in technology, with cloud-based solutions and software as a service deployment revolutionizing how many prepress departments operate. Our commitment ensures today’s students are familiar with all these latest Esko solutions that are utilized around the world to manage packaging and print processes, enabling them to be truly ready for work and have the skills required to enter the sector.”

With the latest donation, students can design and create packaging from ideation to virtual and physical prototypes, preparing them for future roles.

“Throughout the last 18 months, we have seen how the global pandemic has underlined the important role technology already plays in keeping the packaging supply chain moving,” Plemen adds. “As the future of the industry will inevitably involve further digitization, automation, and connectivity, it is crucial that the workforce of tomorrow is as skilled and knowledgeable as possible before they embark on their career.”

For more on automation and printing, check out The Future of Hybrid, Digital Printing, and Shop Automation by Michelle Moxley, M&R.