GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Plastic Industry Statistics

Plastic industry upskilling boosts productivity, safety, innovation, 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

The implementation of virtual training tools in plastics manufacturing has increased by 45% in the last two years

Statistic 2

70% of plastic industry training programs now include modules on sustainability management

Statistic 3

65% of plastic industry companies have implemented upskilling programs to adapt to new technology

Statistic 4

Only 40% of workers in the plastic industry feel confident in their digital skills

Statistic 5

The global plastic recycling sector is projected to require 500,000 reskilled workers by 2025

Statistic 6

Reskilling initiatives in the plastic industry have led to a 25% increase in productivity

Statistic 7

55% of plastic industry employers believe upskilling is essential to stay competitive

Statistic 8

The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in plastic manufacturing has increased workforce training needs by 60%

Statistic 9

72% of plastic industry employees have participated in at least one reskilling program

Statistic 10

Plastic manufacturers who invest in upskilling report a 15% reduction in defect rates

Statistic 11

80% of plastics companies see improved safety records after implementing workforce training programs

Statistic 12

The plastic industry allocated approximately $2 billion globally in workforce training in 2022

Statistic 13

68% of plastic industry managers believe reskilling is crucial for sustainability goals

Statistic 14

The average time to reskill a plastic industry worker is estimated at 4 months

Statistic 15

In a survey, 60% of plastics companies reported difficulty in finding workers with current skill sets

Statistic 16

45% of plastic manufacturing jobs require digital skills that only 20% of current workers possess fully

Statistic 17

Reskilling plastic industry employees can lead to a 10% reduction in overtime costs

Statistic 18

35% of plastics companies have partnered with educational institutions for workforce upskilling programs

Statistic 19

The plastics sector's upskilling programs have increased employee retention rates by 12%

Statistic 20

85% of plastics industry leaders recognize the lack of digital skills as a barrier to innovation

Statistic 21

In 2023, plastic industry training programs increased by 30% compared to 2022

Statistic 22

48% of plastics companies report a skills gap in automation technology

Statistic 23

62% of plastic manufacturing workers express interest in reskilling to operate new machinery

Statistic 24

The most common upskilling topics in the plastic industry include automation, sustainability, and digital tools

Statistic 25

Companies that provide regular training in plastics see a 20% reduction in equipment downtime

Statistic 26

50% of plastic industry workers report that online training modules are more accessible than traditional classes

Statistic 27

Plastic industry companies that focus on upskilling report a 15% gain in customer satisfaction

Statistic 28

The environmental regulatory compliance in plastics has improved by 18% due to workforce reskilling efforts

Statistic 29

37% of employees in the plastics industry feel they need further training to advance their careers

Statistic 30

43% of plastic industry managers believe automation will eliminate some jobs but create higher-skilled roles

Statistic 31

The plastic recycling industry has seen a 20% increase in demand for skilled workers due to new sorting and processing technology

Statistic 32

28% of plastic industry professionals have completed certification programs related to sustainable production

Statistic 33

42% of plastic manufacturing companies train workers on environmental safety standards annually

Statistic 34

67% of companies report that upskilling programs have helped reduce turnover rates

Statistic 35

34% of the plastic industry workforce is aged 45 and above, highlighting a need for targeted reskilling initiatives

Statistic 36

76% of plastics companies believe that integrating digital skills in training leads to better innovation

Statistic 37

54% of workers in plastic injection molding identify skills gaps in robotics operation

Statistic 38

Companies that conduct regular skills assessments report 30% more effective upskilling outcomes

Statistic 39

63% of plastics companies have experienced labor shortages during high demand periods, emphasizing the need for reskilling

Statistic 40

The use of augmented reality (AR) in plastics training has increased by 50% since 2021

Statistic 41

55% of plastics workers are interested in learning about new product developments through upskilling

Statistic 42

80% of plastics companies view automation training as a priority for future workforce development

Statistic 43

Reskilling initiatives in the plastic industry have reportedly led to a 35% decrease in workplace accidents

Statistic 44

47% of employees in plastics have used online learning platforms for skill development

Statistic 45

60% of plastic industry companies include cross-training programs to enhance workforce flexibility

Statistic 46

69% of plastics companies plan to expand digital literacy initiatives as part of their reskilling

Statistic 47

The adoption of IoT technologies in plastics manufacturing has increased workforce training needs by 55%

Statistic 48

38% of workers in the plastics industry have transitioned into higher-skilled roles after upskilling programs

Statistic 49

Digital twin technology training in plastics manufacturing has grown by 60% in the past year

Statistic 50

46% of plastics companies report increased employee engagement after upskilling initiatives

Statistic 51

52% of plastic industry firms see a direct link between upskilling and improved product quality

Statistic 52

70% of companies believe that continuous learning culture helps in rapid adaptation to market changes

Statistic 53

66% of plastics industry workers prioritize training in environmental sustainability practices

Statistic 54

The global market for upskilling in plastics is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2026

Statistic 55

49% of plastics companies report skill obsolescence as a major challenge in workforce management

Statistic 56

58% of plastics firms have introduced mentorship programs as part of their reskilling efforts

Statistic 57

The average age of plastics industry workers is 43 years, indicating the immediate need for reskilling initiatives

Statistic 58

54% of plastic industry employees have completed at least one certification related to safety, quality, or environmental standards

Statistic 59

73% of plastics companies believe upskilling contributes directly to innovation capacity

Statistic 60

The number of plastic industry training programs offering virtual modules has increased by 70% in 2023

Statistic 61

63% of plastic manufacturing companies are implementing AI-based training solutions

Statistic 62

55% of plastic industry workers feel that reskilling has improved their job satisfaction

Statistic 63

67% of plastics firms report that upskilling helps in meeting regulatory compliance more effectively

Statistic 64

44% of plastic industry employees believe that more frequent training sessions lead to better performance

Statistic 65

Plastic industry companies focusing on digital skills see a 12% higher employee retention rate

Statistic 66

70% of plastic manufacturing companies plan to increase investment in employee training over the next three years

Statistic 67

58% of plastics companies have increased their budgets for employee training since 2021

Statistic 68

The average cost of upskilling per employee in plastics is around $1,200

Statistic 69

48% of companies are investing in virtual reality (VR) tools for plastics training purposes

Statistic 70

The investment in upskilling in the plastics industry has increased by 25% over the past two years

Statistic 71

The plastic packaging segment is leading in upskilling initiatives, with 78% of firms investing in employee development

Statistic 72

Plastic industry training expenditures per employee are projected to increase by 18% by 2025

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Key Highlights

65% of plastic industry companies have implemented upskilling programs to adapt to new technology
Only 40% of workers in the plastic industry feel confident in their digital skills
The global plastic recycling sector is projected to require 500,000 reskilled workers by 2025
70% of plastic manufacturing companies plan to increase investment in employee training over the next three years
Reskilling initiatives in the plastic industry have led to a 25% increase in productivity
55% of plastic industry employers believe upskilling is essential to stay competitive
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in plastic manufacturing has increased workforce training needs by 60%
72% of plastic industry employees have participated in at least one reskilling program
Plastic manufacturers who invest in upskilling report a 15% reduction in defect rates
80% of plastics companies see improved safety records after implementing workforce training programs
The plastic industry allocated approximately $2 billion globally in workforce training in 2022
68% of plastic industry managers believe reskilling is crucial for sustainability goals
The average time to reskill a plastic industry worker is estimated at 4 months

As the plastic industry rapidly transforms with Industry 4.0 innovations, over 65% of companies are investing heavily in upskilling and reskilling their workforce—leading to significant gains in productivity, safety, and innovation amid a growing skills gap and mounting regulatory demands.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

The implementation of virtual training tools in plastics manufacturing has increased by 45% in the last two years

Digital Transformation and Innovation Interpretation

With a 45% surge in virtual training tools over the past two years, the plastic industry is molding a more skilled workforce from a digital polymer—proving that maybe, the future of manufacturing is just a click away.

Environmental Sustainability and Recycling

70% of plastic industry training programs now include modules on sustainability management

Environmental Sustainability and Recycling Interpretation

With 70% of plastic industry training programs now featuring sustainability management modules, it seems the industry is finally realizing that the best way to handle plastic waste is to learn how to manage it responsibly—before it manages to manage us.

Industry Workforce and Skills Development

65% of plastic industry companies have implemented upskilling programs to adapt to new technology
Only 40% of workers in the plastic industry feel confident in their digital skills
The global plastic recycling sector is projected to require 500,000 reskilled workers by 2025
Reskilling initiatives in the plastic industry have led to a 25% increase in productivity
55% of plastic industry employers believe upskilling is essential to stay competitive
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in plastic manufacturing has increased workforce training needs by 60%
72% of plastic industry employees have participated in at least one reskilling program
Plastic manufacturers who invest in upskilling report a 15% reduction in defect rates
80% of plastics companies see improved safety records after implementing workforce training programs
The plastic industry allocated approximately $2 billion globally in workforce training in 2022
68% of plastic industry managers believe reskilling is crucial for sustainability goals
The average time to reskill a plastic industry worker is estimated at 4 months
In a survey, 60% of plastics companies reported difficulty in finding workers with current skill sets
45% of plastic manufacturing jobs require digital skills that only 20% of current workers possess fully
Reskilling plastic industry employees can lead to a 10% reduction in overtime costs
35% of plastics companies have partnered with educational institutions for workforce upskilling programs
The plastics sector's upskilling programs have increased employee retention rates by 12%
85% of plastics industry leaders recognize the lack of digital skills as a barrier to innovation
In 2023, plastic industry training programs increased by 30% compared to 2022
48% of plastics companies report a skills gap in automation technology
62% of plastic manufacturing workers express interest in reskilling to operate new machinery
The most common upskilling topics in the plastic industry include automation, sustainability, and digital tools
Companies that provide regular training in plastics see a 20% reduction in equipment downtime
50% of plastic industry workers report that online training modules are more accessible than traditional classes
Plastic industry companies that focus on upskilling report a 15% gain in customer satisfaction
The environmental regulatory compliance in plastics has improved by 18% due to workforce reskilling efforts
37% of employees in the plastics industry feel they need further training to advance their careers
43% of plastic industry managers believe automation will eliminate some jobs but create higher-skilled roles
The plastic recycling industry has seen a 20% increase in demand for skilled workers due to new sorting and processing technology
28% of plastic industry professionals have completed certification programs related to sustainable production
42% of plastic manufacturing companies train workers on environmental safety standards annually
67% of companies report that upskilling programs have helped reduce turnover rates
34% of the plastic industry workforce is aged 45 and above, highlighting a need for targeted reskilling initiatives
76% of plastics companies believe that integrating digital skills in training leads to better innovation
54% of workers in plastic injection molding identify skills gaps in robotics operation
Companies that conduct regular skills assessments report 30% more effective upskilling outcomes
63% of plastics companies have experienced labor shortages during high demand periods, emphasizing the need for reskilling
The use of augmented reality (AR) in plastics training has increased by 50% since 2021
55% of plastics workers are interested in learning about new product developments through upskilling
80% of plastics companies view automation training as a priority for future workforce development
Reskilling initiatives in the plastic industry have reportedly led to a 35% decrease in workplace accidents
47% of employees in plastics have used online learning platforms for skill development
60% of plastic industry companies include cross-training programs to enhance workforce flexibility
69% of plastics companies plan to expand digital literacy initiatives as part of their reskilling
The adoption of IoT technologies in plastics manufacturing has increased workforce training needs by 55%
38% of workers in the plastics industry have transitioned into higher-skilled roles after upskilling programs
Digital twin technology training in plastics manufacturing has grown by 60% in the past year
46% of plastics companies report increased employee engagement after upskilling initiatives
52% of plastic industry firms see a direct link between upskilling and improved product quality
70% of companies believe that continuous learning culture helps in rapid adaptation to market changes
66% of plastics industry workers prioritize training in environmental sustainability practices
The global market for upskilling in plastics is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2026
49% of plastics companies report skill obsolescence as a major challenge in workforce management
58% of plastics firms have introduced mentorship programs as part of their reskilling efforts
The average age of plastics industry workers is 43 years, indicating the immediate need for reskilling initiatives
54% of plastic industry employees have completed at least one certification related to safety, quality, or environmental standards
73% of plastics companies believe upskilling contributes directly to innovation capacity
The number of plastic industry training programs offering virtual modules has increased by 70% in 2023
63% of plastic manufacturing companies are implementing AI-based training solutions
55% of plastic industry workers feel that reskilling has improved their job satisfaction
67% of plastics firms report that upskilling helps in meeting regulatory compliance more effectively
44% of plastic industry employees believe that more frequent training sessions lead to better performance
Plastic industry companies focusing on digital skills see a 12% higher employee retention rate

Industry Workforce and Skills Development Interpretation

Despite investing over $2 billion globally in workforce upskilling, the plastic industry still faces a digital skills gap that hampers innovation and sustainability, highlighting that effective reskilling—evidenced by a 25% boost in productivity and a 35% reduction in workplace accidents—remains both a crucial challenge and an urgent opportunity as companies scramble to bridge knowledge gaps in automation, environmental standards, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Investment and Expenditure in Training

70% of plastic manufacturing companies plan to increase investment in employee training over the next three years
58% of plastics companies have increased their budgets for employee training since 2021
The average cost of upskilling per employee in plastics is around $1,200
48% of companies are investing in virtual reality (VR) tools for plastics training purposes
The investment in upskilling in the plastics industry has increased by 25% over the past two years
The plastic packaging segment is leading in upskilling initiatives, with 78% of firms investing in employee development
Plastic industry training expenditures per employee are projected to increase by 18% by 2025

Investment and Expenditure in Training Interpretation

As the plastic industry pours more resources into upskilling—particularly in packaging and virtual reality—it's clear that companies are reshaping their workforce to stay flexible in a world increasingly defined by technological innovation and sustainability demands.