In May 2006, the response to a call for support for the inaugural Young People’s Forum was overwhelming. Most members will recall that the event was a tremendous success, with several sponsors and more than 80 participants who came to Canberra for two days of sharing information and generating new ideas. The participants were so enthusiastic that they insisted that APIA should provide further opportunities for the younger members of the industry.

As is well known throughout the membership, we now have a national YPF organising committee that meets via teleconference every few months as well as state-based committees that maintain the momentum at the state level. Over the past couple of years, and after a slower start in some states, the YPF is now very active – especially given the resources boom and the associated workload of the members.

The younger members of the industry are now more involved in many of APIA’s committees and more of the younger members are attending APIA functions. This has been achieved through the activities of the YPF group, which have given younger members the confidence to participate and provided opportunities for increased communication with our experienced members.

Each of the state YPF groups have developed their own ‘personalities’. In true pipeliner form, some of the groups hold regular social meetings at a favourite hotel and others, with some assistance from the APIA Secretariat, have organised tours of APIA members’ facilities in order to further expanding their knowledge and understanding of the industry. Even the states with limited younger personnel have managed to keep things moving. For example, our YPF friends in Darwin have assured me that, given their limited numbers, whenever an APIA member is visiting the north, they will organise a function! One of the outcomes of the YPF activities is the increasing number of young people who now attend the various APIA lunches and dinners.

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Recently, the YPF group insisted on another national seminar/forum similar to the inaugural event and catering for the young members who have been participating in various events and already know a little about the breadth of the industry. The seminar, held on 22 May in Brisbane, comprised a similar morning program to the 2006 seminar with an introduction to APIA and the range of industry activities. Young APIA members from different sectors provided presentations to their peers about their work in their sector of the industry. At the same time, the ‘usual’ Brisbane seminar hosted presentations covering developments in innovation and technology. In the afternoon, the program included the more experienced members in a wide-ranging discussion about the future of the industry and the future of the Australian workforce. A large audience attended both sessions.

I would like to thank all APIA members – young and ‘experienced’ – who have supported and continue to support, the YPF initiative. It is very pleasing to note the enthusiasm of the more experienced members who welcome the participation of the younger members and see it as an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience. With increased communication between experienced and younger pipeliners, this industry is well placed to help develop the next generation of ‘experts’. Our members’ ongoing enthusiasm for the industry will certainly help to ensure that the association and the industry are well prepared for future challenges.