The plastics industry is mature enough to have tens of thousands of “pioneers”, people with 20+ years of experience in various segments of the plastics industry. Both working and retired plastics industry experts represent a huge knowledge base. These Plastics Pioneers can take on many of the challenges that our industry faces.

Improving Plastics Education

One long-standing opportunity is improving education. Since I joined the plastics industry full time in 1970 there have been numerous efforts to promote plastics education in universities, community colleges, trade schools, and high schools – with some but not dramatic results.  

Plastics Organizations

Currently, there are two organizations, Western Plastics Pioneers (WPP), https://www.westernplasticspioneers.org, and Plastics Pioneers Association (PPA), http://plasticspioneers.org. WPP and PPA plastics organizations make education and scholarships a priority targeting awareness at all the levels of plastics education.

WPP and PPA are working to augment the efforts of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and other engineering organizations. As a plastics group, we have a tremendous knowledge base of members to assist plastics educational institutions and to promote plastics careers in the plastics industry.

Plastics Education Scholarships

In 2019, at least 17 plastics centric scholarships of $2,000 to $3,000 are available from WPP and PPA. Plus there are grants from plastic industry companies too!

Are you ready to get involved? Have ideas? Want input or have questions? Contact us today!

Western Plastics Pioneers and Plastics Pioneers Association are looking to change how we find and educate the future plastics workers by focusing on the opportunities for young people in the plastics industry and help them grow the future in plastics.

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