The Young Professionals' Network (YPN) is a community of early to mid-career professionals working within trade associations across the UK. Whether you’re just starting out or establishing yourself in your field, YPN offers a welcoming environment to connect, collaborate, and grow.
The trade association space is unique and often misunderstood and the YPN aims to ensure that the next generation of leaders, professionals and experts are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. We hope to enhance the experience of young people working in the space, driving better performance for Trade Association Forum members.
What We Do
The YPN exists to help emerging professionals thrive. We aim to:
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Provide networking opportunities through events, webinars, and informal meet-ups
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Offer professional development support, facilitating mentorship and career guidance connections
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Create a platform for sharing experiences and perspectives
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Champion the voice of young professionals within trade associations
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Identify challenges for new entrants into the trade association workforce and develop solutions
Get Involved
The YPN is open to anyone in the early stages of their career who wants to connect with others at a similar point in their professional journey. We define a ‘young professional’ as someone typically under the age of 35, or anyone who has recently changed careers and is now developing their experience, skills, and professional network. However, we are not strict on this, and welcome anyone who feels they would benefit from getting involved. If you would like to join, please get in touch with the TAF Secretariat.
To be a member of the YPN, there is an expectation that you will attend quarterly meetings and events when possible, with at least two being held face-to-face.
Speaking Opportunities
If you would like to speak to our group or have suggestions for future events, please also get in touch here.
YPN CO-Chairs:
- Amy White, Marketing Manager, British Coatings Federation (BCF)
- Gray Gibson, Policy Officer, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)
- Laura Doanová, Policy Executive, Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)
Join the YPN Today!
Join the YPN WhatsApp group to receive updates and event invites today!