In recent times, members of the Australian pipeline industry have identified a generation gap between its more experienced senior members and the younger members entering the industry. The concern is, amongst other issues, the loss of knowledge and experience of the senior members as they leave the industry, skills shortages and job retention, all of which could leave the industry without sufficient experienced resources to meet its increasing demands.
To overcome this shortfall, APIA initiated the Young Pipeliners Forum to provide a meeting place for all younger members (nominally under 35) working within the pipeline industry to exchange ideas, network and share pipeline industry-related issues with one another.
At the first “˜official’ forum, held in May 2006, approximately 80 younger members participated in industry presentations and an open forum. The key finding was the need to raise industry and employer awareness of the needs of its younger members to be included in future planning for the industry. Some other outcomes highlighted:
* Networking – to meet people with similar career paths and opportunities to meet industry experts;
* Knowledge sharing – to identify means of gaining more experience both technically and practically; and,
* Understanding the industry – with regard to career paths.
With surprising enthusiasm from the attendees, national and state-based committees were established to further develop the ideas presented at the forum.
Approximately a year and a half on, the Young Pipeliners continue to progress in all states with the number of members continually growing, in some instances doubling. The Young Pipeliners have organised networking opportunities, presentations by guest speakers, participated in seminars and site visits. One of the highlights organised to date, through the secretariat and the NSW group, with major input from BlueScope Steel and other members, was a visit to Wollongong to participate in tours through BlueScope Steel, Orrcon, OneSteel, Bredero Shaw and APC Socotherm. This gave all who attended a valuable understanding of the entire line pipe manufacturing process, from the making of the steel through to the coating of the line pipe.
In addition, the national committee is currently looking at opportunities to further raise awareness of the industry amongst its younger members, providing encouragement for younger members to attend APIA functions, participation in industry activities and consultation with APIA regarding future planning.
APIA has introduced a number of initiatives to encourage companies to support attendance at seminars and function by their younger employees. Initiatives include:
* Offering reduced prices for attendees under 35;
* Continual promotion/advertisement of the Young Pipeliners;
* Organisation of seminars of interest to the Young Pipeliners;
* Offering six scholarships to attend the 16th Biennial Pipeline Research Joint Technical Meeting in April 2007.
APIA is also planning to hold another Young Pipeliners Forum in 2008, given the strong support from its members and lobbying by the Young Pipeliner participants for another “˜specialised’ function.
Since its conception, the Young Pipeliners Forum has provided its younger members with a sense of belonging to the industry, allowing them to voice their suggestions to improve their future within the industry. It has also provided the opportunity to meet people with similar career paths and improve company awareness of the younger generation.