Ardagh Group launched its global Ardagh for Education initiative in 2021, which included substantial philanthropic support for PLTW to implement and expand PLTW programs in communities surrounding Ardagh’s metal and glass packaging facilities in the U.S. To date, more than 400 schools across 14 states have benefited from this support.
In spring 2024, Ardagh launched a PLTW-focused high school summer internship program alongside its existing collegiate level internship and co-op programs.
“I started from day one out on the [production] floor learning the procedure and how bottles are made,” said a 2024 Quality Intern at Ardagh Glass Packaging. “It was a great learning opportunity. I learned a ton of skills through Ardagh including how to work as a team but also independence. It gave me a chance to explore what I like but it also gave me the opportunity to find [what] I may not have liked.”
In the program’s inaugural year, 12 PLTW interns participated in applied learning opportunities at 10 of Ardagh’s U.S. facilities, and several will return as interns this summer. (Listen to the interns’ experiences firsthand in this video.)
To prepare students for these internships and other career opportunities, teams at Ardagh’s Glass Packaging facilities work with PLTW high school students in their communities to support student career development. Employees schedule and facilitate Career Readiness Days where students participate in resume workshops and mock interviews, while learning about on-the-job best practices.
“This provides students the opportunity to practice interviewing in a low-stakes environment,” said Clare McHugh, Talent Acquisition Manager at Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America. “Additionally, they have the opportunity to sign-up for the internship program. Career Readiness Days provide a great opportunity to spread awareness of our local Ardagh Glass Packaging production facilities. The students walk away familiar with the business and understand there could be future employment within the organization.”
“It was a really positive experience, allowing me to gain confidence in my interviewing skills,” said one high school senior participating in a Career Readiness Day.
Ardagh’s Metal Packaging facilities give PLTW students on-the-job professional development opportunities and conduct virtual team building events with interns throughout the course of their internships.
“[Interns] gain tools like feedback from mentors, training sessions and assessments (like StrengthsFinder) that help them grow and prepare for their careers,” said Areli Ramirez, Talent Acquisition Manager at Ardagh Metal Packaging-North America. “They walk away with a better understanding of themselves, how to work with others and ways to grow. One of the biggest surprises was how quickly the PLTW interns adapted to our manufacturing environment. Despite being recent high school graduates, they picked things up fast, asked great questions, and weren’t afraid to jump in and help.”
Ardagh plans to continue growing their internship program each summer, benefiting more students as they leave high school and prepare to enter college or a career.