A NEW Young Live Exporter’s Network (YLEN) has emerged in order for more interaction between young people interested in a career in the export industry.
YLEN is focussed on those under the age of 40 and will welcome 18 year olds and over to participate in upskilling and personal development, as well as think tanks and committees in order to be able to engage with the media and the public about the trade.
The network already has a website and a Facebook and Twitter page and was promoting itself through the WA Livestock Exporters Association (WALEA) at the Make Smoking History Wagin Woolorama last week.
The new WALEA chair John Cunnington, business development manager at Halleen livestock traders, was at Wagin and said an information session was already planned for YLEN at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Conference at Darwin on March 28.
It would be followed up by another event on April 17 in Perth, which was still to be confirmed.
“We will also be holding webinar events throughout the year, all culminating in a number of seminars, workshops and networking events in Townsville in October at the LiveEx conference,” Mr Cunnington said.
“At the moment, we are going to be open to participants within the live export supply chain who are under 40.
“If people sign up via the website or like our social media sites, there will be updates on events as they happen and ways they can get involved.
“YLEN is looking to open opportunities to those in the live export supply chain to accelerate their professional skills.
“We aim to provide the next generation of leaders in the live export industry the proficiency to shape their future, today.
“We are encouraging a broad range of supply chain participants to be more involved to provide new and innovative perspective on of the future of the industry.”
Mr Cunnington said for social events, YLEN was asking for companies in the supply chain to sponsor events.
“For the professional development, we are working with groups like LiveCorp to use speakers who they’re already working with or asking people to volunteer their time,” he said.
“Most of the work we have done so far is just through using our own skills to make brochures, videos and social media content ourselves.
“In the future, we would look at creating a paid membership structure but we haven’t got there yet.”
Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA president Tony Seabrook said he had heard about the initiative and thought “it was a great idea”.
“I would do anything in my power to encourage young people to be involved in what will be their industry,” Mr Seabrook said.
He said there were some great young minds in the industry, especially among women, and he encouraged them to put up their hand and have a go.
