GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Food Packaging Industry Statistics

Most food packaging companies prioritize upskilling to boost innovation, safety, and sustainability.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

65% of food packaging employers invest in virtual reality training for hygienic and safety procedures

Statistic 2

65% of food packaging companies focus reskilling efforts specifically on sustainability practices, such as eco-design and biodegradable materials

Statistic 3

69% of food packaging companies connecting their training programs to sustainability goals have seen measurable environmental benefits, such as waste reduction

Statistic 4

44% of food packaging companies have integrated environmental and social responsibility modules into their employee training programs

Statistic 5

64% of food packaging companies have partnerships with training providers to facilitate reskilling programs

Statistic 6

58% of food packaging companies are exploring virtual reality for hands-on training without disrupting production

Statistic 7

78% of food packaging companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling over the past three years

Statistic 8

62% of food packaging firms report that reskilling initiatives led to a 15% reduction in manufacturing errors

Statistic 9

45% of workers in the food packaging industry acquire new skills through online courses

Statistic 10

54% of companies plan to implement AI literacy training for their packaging staff within the next two years

Statistic 11

53% of workers in the food packaging sector report feeling more confident in their roles after upskilling programs

Statistic 12

30% of food packaging jobs now require advanced digital skills, a rise from 15% in 2019

Statistic 13

42% of packaging companies have reported a skills gap in sustainable packaging methods, prompting reskilling initiatives

Statistic 14

70% of food packaging companies see upskilling as essential to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies

Statistic 15

58% of employees in the food packaging industry believe that ongoing training is critical to career advancement

Statistic 16

80% of food packaging companies experienced productivity gains after implementing employee reskilling programs

Statistic 17

49% of workers have participated in cross-training programs to support flexible manufacturing

Statistic 18

36% of startups in food packaging prioritize skills development in automation early in their growth phase

Statistic 19

72% of food packaging industry leaders recognize upskilling as a way to improve compliance with evolving food safety standards

Statistic 20

55% of food packaging professionals list automation technology as a key focus area for reskilling efforts

Statistic 21

48% of companies report difficulty in finding workers with digital skills needed for modern food packaging, leading to increased reskilling programs

Statistic 22

83% of organizations attribute faster adoption of biodegradable packaging solutions to targeted upskilling initiatives

Statistic 23

60% of food packaging companies that invested in employee training noticed a decline in workplace accidents

Statistic 24

39% of packaging firms running reskilling programs see increased employee retention

Statistic 25

47% of food packaging businesses increased budgets for employee training amid the pandemic to ensure continuity

Statistic 26

52% of new jobs created in the food packaging industry during 2022 were filled by workers who underwent prior upskilling or reskilling

Statistic 27

41% of food packaging companies incorporate AI and machine learning training as part of their employee development

Statistic 28

73% of employees in the food packaging industry express interest in learning about smart packaging technologies

Statistic 29

66% of packaging firms have integrated e-learning platforms into their training programs

Statistic 30

29% of food packaging companies report a lack of structured reskilling programs, highlighting an area for growth

Statistic 31

50% of food packaging industry HR managers identify skill shortages in eco-design and recycling as impediments, leading to targeted training initiatives

Statistic 32

69% of food packaging companies report that upskilling has improved innovation output, including new sustainable materials

Statistic 33

84% of industry leaders agree that reskilling is crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the global market

Statistic 34

44% of food packaging professionals have participated in certification courses related to hygiene, safety, and quality standards

Statistic 35

38% of companies plan to increase their investment in employee skills development by at least 25% over the next year

Statistic 36

59% of food packaging companies reported that upskilling led to better customer satisfaction due to improved product safety and quality

Statistic 37

77% of organization strategies now include a formal upskilling component to address digital transformation needs

Statistic 38

34% of food packaging firms provide incentives—such as bonuses or recognition—for employees completing upskilling courses

Statistic 39

48% of workers who received reskilling reported feeling more engaged and motivated at work

Statistic 40

70% of new hires in food packaging roles have prior training or upskilling, reducing onboarding time significantly

Statistic 41

30% of food packaging employers report a shortage of qualified trainers to deliver specialized upskilling programs, which hampers scaling efforts

Statistic 42

49% of companies identified developing leadership skills through reskilling as a priority for their future workforce planning

Statistic 43

61% of food packaging firms noticed an increase in compliance with safety regulations after implementing specific training modules

Statistic 44

55% of employees are willing to participate in continuous education programs if provided targeted training relevant to their roles

Statistic 45

72% of companies believe that reskilling and upskilling will be essential to meeting future demand for sustainable packaging solutions

Statistic 46

43% of food packaging companies have introduced modular training programs to cater to diverse skill levels

Statistic 47

44% of workers in the food packaging industry have gained new competencies in automation and robotics in the past year, in response to technological advances

Statistic 48

36% of food packaging companies report that employee resistance to change remains a barrier to effective upskilling programs, leading to increased focus on change management

Statistic 49

59% of industry executives believe that government incentives could significantly accelerate upskilling initiatives in the food packaging sector

Statistic 50

78% of companies with active reskilling programs report higher levels of employee loyalty and retention

Statistic 51

66% of food packaging firms plan to incorporate blockchain knowledge into employee training to enhance traceability and transparency

Statistic 52

81% of industry leaders agree that digital skills are now fundamental for all packaging roles, indicating a shift in skill requirements

Statistic 53

56% of small and medium-sized food packaging enterprises report difficulty in funding extensive upskilling programs, leading to reliance on informal training

Statistic 54

55% of employment growth in the food packaging sector over the last five years can be linked to recent upskilling and reskilling efforts

Statistic 55

67% of companies emphasize the importance of soft skills such as teamwork and communication as part of their upskilling initiatives

Statistic 56

57% of food packaging personnel believe that continuous training helps adapt to rapid innovations in packaging materials

Statistic 57

62% of managers have observed an improvement in team collaboration following upskilling initiatives, especially those involving cross-disciplinary skills

Statistic 58

29% of food packaging organizations report that lack of time is a significant barrier to ongoing employee training, prompting shorter, focused modules

Statistic 59

73% of industry respondents believe that cross-sector skill transferability enhances resilience in the food packaging supply chain

Statistic 60

65% of food packaging companies have adopted competency frameworks to guide their upskilling and reskilling efforts

Statistic 61

51% of the workforce in food packaging industry believe that tailored, role-specific training programs are more effective than generic ones

Statistic 62

42% of food packaging companies report increased participation when projects include gamification elements in the training modules

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Key Highlights

78% of food packaging companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling over the past three years
62% of food packaging firms report that reskilling initiatives led to a 15% reduction in manufacturing errors
45% of workers in the food packaging industry acquire new skills through online courses
54% of companies plan to implement AI literacy training for their packaging staff within the next two years
64% of food packaging companies have partnerships with training providers to facilitate reskilling programs
53% of workers in the food packaging sector report feeling more confident in their roles after upskilling programs
30% of food packaging jobs now require advanced digital skills, a rise from 15% in 2019
42% of packaging companies have reported a skills gap in sustainable packaging methods, prompting reskilling initiatives
70% of food packaging companies see upskilling as essential to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies
58% of employees in the food packaging industry believe that ongoing training is critical to career advancement
80% of food packaging companies experienced productivity gains after implementing employee reskilling programs
49% of workers have participated in cross-training programs to support flexible manufacturing
36% of startups in food packaging prioritize skills development in automation early in their growth phase

With 78% of food packaging companies ramping up their investment in employee upskilling over the past three years, the industry is witnessing a transformative shift driven by technological advances, sustainability demands, and the imperative to close skills gaps—proving that reskilling and upskilling are not just trends but vital strategies for competitiveness and innovation.

Company Practices

65% of food packaging employers invest in virtual reality training for hygienic and safety procedures

Company Practices Interpretation

With 65% of food packaging employers turning to virtual reality for hygiene and safety training, it's clear that the industry is packaging up innovation to ensure safer, more immersive employee education—where virtual reality isn't just a gimmick, but a safeguard.

Industry Trends and Company Practices

65% of food packaging companies focus reskilling efforts specifically on sustainability practices, such as eco-design and biodegradable materials
69% of food packaging companies connecting their training programs to sustainability goals have seen measurable environmental benefits, such as waste reduction
44% of food packaging companies have integrated environmental and social responsibility modules into their employee training programs

Industry Trends and Company Practices Interpretation

With nearly two-thirds of food packaging firms prioritizing sustainability reskilling—and a significant portion witnessing tangible environmental gains—it's clear that investing in eco-conscious expertise isn't just good ethics but also good business; however, the fact that less than half have formally woven social responsibility into training suggests there's still room for the industry to package responsibility more comprehensively.

Partnerships and Collaborations

64% of food packaging companies have partnerships with training providers to facilitate reskilling programs

Partnerships and Collaborations Interpretation

With 64% of food packaging companies partnering with training providers, it's clear that the industry is packaging not just products but also its workforce’s future by prioritizing reskilling initiatives.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

58% of food packaging companies are exploring virtual reality for hands-on training without disrupting production

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

With 58% of food packaging companies turning to virtual reality for hands-on training, the industry is packaging the future of employee development in a way that preserves productivity and enhances skillsets.

Workforce Dynamics and Skills Development

78% of food packaging companies have increased their investment in employee upskilling over the past three years
62% of food packaging firms report that reskilling initiatives led to a 15% reduction in manufacturing errors
45% of workers in the food packaging industry acquire new skills through online courses
54% of companies plan to implement AI literacy training for their packaging staff within the next two years
53% of workers in the food packaging sector report feeling more confident in their roles after upskilling programs
30% of food packaging jobs now require advanced digital skills, a rise from 15% in 2019
42% of packaging companies have reported a skills gap in sustainable packaging methods, prompting reskilling initiatives
70% of food packaging companies see upskilling as essential to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies
58% of employees in the food packaging industry believe that ongoing training is critical to career advancement
80% of food packaging companies experienced productivity gains after implementing employee reskilling programs
49% of workers have participated in cross-training programs to support flexible manufacturing
36% of startups in food packaging prioritize skills development in automation early in their growth phase
72% of food packaging industry leaders recognize upskilling as a way to improve compliance with evolving food safety standards
55% of food packaging professionals list automation technology as a key focus area for reskilling efforts
48% of companies report difficulty in finding workers with digital skills needed for modern food packaging, leading to increased reskilling programs
83% of organizations attribute faster adoption of biodegradable packaging solutions to targeted upskilling initiatives
60% of food packaging companies that invested in employee training noticed a decline in workplace accidents
39% of packaging firms running reskilling programs see increased employee retention
47% of food packaging businesses increased budgets for employee training amid the pandemic to ensure continuity
52% of new jobs created in the food packaging industry during 2022 were filled by workers who underwent prior upskilling or reskilling
41% of food packaging companies incorporate AI and machine learning training as part of their employee development
73% of employees in the food packaging industry express interest in learning about smart packaging technologies
66% of packaging firms have integrated e-learning platforms into their training programs
29% of food packaging companies report a lack of structured reskilling programs, highlighting an area for growth
50% of food packaging industry HR managers identify skill shortages in eco-design and recycling as impediments, leading to targeted training initiatives
69% of food packaging companies report that upskilling has improved innovation output, including new sustainable materials
84% of industry leaders agree that reskilling is crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the global market
44% of food packaging professionals have participated in certification courses related to hygiene, safety, and quality standards
38% of companies plan to increase their investment in employee skills development by at least 25% over the next year
59% of food packaging companies reported that upskilling led to better customer satisfaction due to improved product safety and quality
77% of organization strategies now include a formal upskilling component to address digital transformation needs
34% of food packaging firms provide incentives—such as bonuses or recognition—for employees completing upskilling courses
48% of workers who received reskilling reported feeling more engaged and motivated at work
70% of new hires in food packaging roles have prior training or upskilling, reducing onboarding time significantly
30% of food packaging employers report a shortage of qualified trainers to deliver specialized upskilling programs, which hampers scaling efforts
49% of companies identified developing leadership skills through reskilling as a priority for their future workforce planning
61% of food packaging firms noticed an increase in compliance with safety regulations after implementing specific training modules
55% of employees are willing to participate in continuous education programs if provided targeted training relevant to their roles
72% of companies believe that reskilling and upskilling will be essential to meeting future demand for sustainable packaging solutions
43% of food packaging companies have introduced modular training programs to cater to diverse skill levels
44% of workers in the food packaging industry have gained new competencies in automation and robotics in the past year, in response to technological advances
36% of food packaging companies report that employee resistance to change remains a barrier to effective upskilling programs, leading to increased focus on change management
59% of industry executives believe that government incentives could significantly accelerate upskilling initiatives in the food packaging sector
78% of companies with active reskilling programs report higher levels of employee loyalty and retention
66% of food packaging firms plan to incorporate blockchain knowledge into employee training to enhance traceability and transparency
81% of industry leaders agree that digital skills are now fundamental for all packaging roles, indicating a shift in skill requirements
56% of small and medium-sized food packaging enterprises report difficulty in funding extensive upskilling programs, leading to reliance on informal training
55% of employment growth in the food packaging sector over the last five years can be linked to recent upskilling and reskilling efforts
67% of companies emphasize the importance of soft skills such as teamwork and communication as part of their upskilling initiatives
57% of food packaging personnel believe that continuous training helps adapt to rapid innovations in packaging materials
62% of managers have observed an improvement in team collaboration following upskilling initiatives, especially those involving cross-disciplinary skills
29% of food packaging organizations report that lack of time is a significant barrier to ongoing employee training, prompting shorter, focused modules
73% of industry respondents believe that cross-sector skill transferability enhances resilience in the food packaging supply chain
65% of food packaging companies have adopted competency frameworks to guide their upskilling and reskilling efforts
51% of the workforce in food packaging industry believe that tailored, role-specific training programs are more effective than generic ones
42% of food packaging companies report increased participation when projects include gamification elements in the training modules

Workforce Dynamics and Skills Development Interpretation

As the food packaging industry swiftly embraces Industry 4.0 and sustainability, the data underscores that investing in employee upskilling isn't just a smart move—it's the secret ingredient recipe for innovation, safety, and global competitiveness, even as a skills gap in digital and eco-design areas signals that the true test lies in transforming workforce training from a box to check into a menu of continuous, agility-driven learning.