Leading packaging solutions provider DS Smith, through its Zarnesti Paper Mill, continues to invest in education, expanding its partnership with Malaxa Technological High School. Starting with the 2024–2025 school year, 11th-grade students in the Mechanics specialization will benefit from a new Local Development Curriculum (LDC) titled Monitoring and Maintenance of Machines and Equipment in the Paper Industry.
The 64 hours of training, led by DS Smith engineers, aim to familiarize students with paper manufacturing technology. The training takes place both in the school’s technological lab and at the company’s premises. This ensures that, upon graduation, students can either integrate more easily into the labour market or pursue further studies in specialized universities.
Marius Juncanariu, General Manager of DS Smith Zărnești Paper Mill, states: “Attracting young people to vocational education and encouraging them to consider a career in manufacturing is something that concerns us all. Through our collaboration with Malaxa Technological High School and the launch of this LDC, we aim to demonstrate that careers in manufacturing are not just an option but an inspired and valuable choice for them and their community.”
Diana Ciuraru, Human Resources Manager at DS Smith Zărnești, adds: “After some challenging years attracting young talent into the sector, we can now confidently say that working in the industrial sector can become a source of pride. At DS Smith Zărnești, we continuously invest in educational initiatives so that young people can develop their skills and have a clear career path. By attracting them to a career in manufacturing, we’re building not just stronger teams but also more resilient communities.”
This Local Development Curriculum complements DS Smith’s portfolio of education-focused projects in Zărnești and the Brașov region. These initiatives include sustainability and circular economy lessons for primary school students, collaborations with the Brașov County School Inspectorate, and other programs aimed at fostering local community development.
Since 2018, DS Smith has operated Romania’s largest paper mill in Zărnești, meeting nearly half of the country’s internal demand for paper. The raw material used is entirely sourced from recyclable paper—a key factor for Romania to achieve European recycling targets for paper and cardboard packaging.
The Group also manages a recycling operations hub in Bucharest, two recycling depots in Ștefănești and Cluj-Napoca, two packaging production units in Ghimbav and Timișoara, and three service centres in Pitești, Timișoara, and Buftea, Ilfov County, employing a total of 650 people.
