Learning Never Stops: Why Continuing Education Is Essential

March 12, 2026

The corrugated packaging industry has never stood still—and neither can the people who lead it. Between evolving customer expectations, sustainability demands, automation, and tightening margins, today’s leaders are being asked to do more—and do it faster and smarter than ever before. Experience still matters, but experience alone is no longer enough. Continuing education has become a distinguishing competitive advantage.

For many professionals, formal training ends just as their careers begin to accelerate. That gap in ongoing professional development is exactly what inspired the Business Management in Corrugated Packaging (BMCP) Certificate Program. Developed in collaboration with AICC and The Packaging School, the program was created after recognizing a common need: Managers who had completed foundational training were hungry for deeper business education tailored specifically to corrugated packaging. They didn’t want a generic MBA; they wanted something practical, relevant, and built for the realities of their future success in the industry.

“Many leaders in the corrugated packaging industry advanced quickly through the ranks or prioritized family and career responsibilities before having the opportunity to pursue an MBA,” says Rebecca Rendon, AICC senior manager of education. “The BMCP certificate was designed specifically for those professionals—providing practical, industry-relevant business education without requiring them to step away from their careers or personal commitments. From AICC’s perspective, BMCP fills a critical gap by meeting leaders where they are and helping them grow with confidence.”

Michel Alvarez, plant manager at Royal Containers, has experienced the difference firsthand. “AICC and The Packaging School are a truly a valued resource in our industry,” he says. “Being a hands-on individual, they have provided me another opportunity for growth from a business perspective. There is always room for improvement, and understanding this is the first step. Thank you to Julie and Rebecca for appreciating the importance of such a program for our industry. So far, they have placed this group of cohorts in front of two needles in a haystack, being Ralph Young and Tom Weber. Their wealth of knowledge along with the experience within the cohort group itself is truly invaluable.”

At its core, the BMCP program provides industry-specific business education designed for working professionals. Participants strengthen leadership skills, build financial and strategic insight, and gain the operational knowledge needed to lead confidently in a highly competitive market. The program is flexible and accessible, with coursework completed remotely and attuned to the schedule of each participant, making it possible to balance learning with full-time careers. While the program spans 12–18 months, the time commitment is intentionally manageable, reinforcing the idea that professional growth should be sustainable, not disruptive.

But this program is only part of a larger story.

Continuing Education as a Strategic Investment

Across the industry, companies are increasingly recognizing that developing their people is one of the smartest investments they can make. According to multiple workforce studies, organizations that actively support employee learning see higher retention, stronger engagement, and better leadership pipelines. LinkedIn research found that 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invested in their careers, and a strong learning culture is associated with 30%–50% higher retention rates.

Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends research reinforces this imperative: More than 70% of managers and workers alike say they’re more likely to join and stay with an organization if its employee value proposition supports them thriving in a dynamic, AI-enabled world, which includes career growth and learning opportunities.

This reflects a broader trend in which leaders at all levels want meaningful development: Managers are not only focused on operational outcomes but also eager for the skills that help them coach, motivate, and retain their teams. Deloitte’s research emphasizes that a manager’s ability to lead, inspire, and develop people is one of the largest influences on workforce productivity and retention, and effective coaching and development can boost direct reports’ performance and engagement.

Employees, including those new to the industry and those in management, are clear about what they want: opportunities to grow, expand their skills, and build long-term careers. When companies embed continuing learning into their culture, they support individual aspirations while strengthening organizational capability, resilience, and leadership bench strength over the long term.

That mindset is already taking hold in the corrugated space. Companies such as Haire Group, Royal Containers Ltd., Weber Display & Packaging, Bay Cities, Harris Packaging Corp., DanHil Containers II Ltd., Rabb Corrugated Packaging and Displays, and Niagara Sheets LLC are actively supporting continuing education initiatives with the BMCP program. Their participation reflects a shared belief that developing talent, at every career stage, sets both individuals and organizations up for long-term success.

For newer professionals, continuing education accelerates learning curves and builds confidence. For seasoned managers, it sharpens decision-making and prepares them to lead teams through change. For companies, it creates a culture in which growth is expected, supported, and aligned with business goals.

Building the Future of the Industry

Programs such as the BMCP emphasize practical application—connecting leadership, operations, finance, sales, and innovation directly to real-world challenges. Participants don’t just learn concepts; they apply them to their organizations and the broader packaging industry. This kind of learning strengthens not only individual careers but the industry as a whole.

As corrugated packaging continues to evolve, one truth is clear: The most successful companies will be those that keep learning. Continuing education is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s how leaders stay relevant, how teams stay engaged, and how the industry continues to grow stronger together.