Teacher gains an insight into innovative product design at Clifton Packaging

Thursday 10th July 2008

Teacher gains an insight into innovative product design at Clifton Packaging

Clifton Packaging Group plc is sewing the seeds of enterprise and innovation by investing time and sharing their expertise with a Design and Technology Teacher from a local school.

Diana Beeden-Simpson from City of Leicester College spent a day with a senior technical designer and various colleagues, from Clifton Packaging, to look at the graphic design work they create, along with a detailed insight into the overall packaging process, from design concepts to flexo printing / conversion and contract packing.

Diana said: “The placement provided me with a fantastic insight into the working practice of the subject I teach. Our students will benefit from classroom tasks that relate to a local business. In our approach to teaching students we aim to also help prepare them for their future working lives. Giving students work related challenges helps them to build on general business understanding and develop transferable skills including team work, working to time deadlines and problem solving. Students are excited about starting a Clifton Packaging inspired task that will contribute to them achieving their GCSE or A level and this is all thanks to the opportunity LEBC provided and the enthusiasm from Shahid and his colleagues.”

This Teacher Placement forms part of Leicestershire Education Business Company’s (LEBC) initiatives to better prepare students about, through and for work. Rachael Clarke a Project Co-ordinator at LEBC commented: “This particular example of a business and teacher working together is outstanding. It’s a rewarding partnership that we hope will continue to inspire students who will form our future workforce and encourage them to be enterprising and innovative.”

Shahid Sheikh, Managing Director of Clifton Packaging Group Plc and Leicestershire Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 championed the Teacher Placement initiative in his company and commenting on the reasons for getting involved, said:
“It’s vital that education and business link together. We are pioneers in our field of flexible packaging and think it important to spread that entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm to our potential future workforce. It is also important that we keep up our involvement in local education to meet our Corporate Social Responsibilities and to give students and teachers new opportunities, for variety is the spice of life.”

In the future, Clifton Packaging hope to continue their link with LEBC to ensure they are aware of all opportunities to engage with education and to access the support they provide.
If your company would like to engage with education please contact Rachael Clarke at LEBC on 0116 240 7000

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