British Computer Society Young Professionals Group

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The British Computer Society Young Professionals Group (YPG) was formed in 1986 (although, its roots date back to around 1983) to provide representation and support to younger members of the IT profession. Today the group is one of the largest and arguably one of the most influential young professionals groups in the UK, with over 15,000 members. The group organises events and provides services from lectures and debates to networking evenings, various competitions, college bursaries and awards.

Whilst support is provided from the British Computer Society, the group's leadership is run primarily by volunteers from the younger membership of the British Computer Society which form the YPG's National Committee.

Contents

[edit] Young IT Practitioner of the Year

The YPG judges, promotes and awards the Young IT Practitioner of the Year Award, underlining one of the YPG's key roles to nurture and applaud individual ingenuity and entrepreneurial success that have made the British IT industry a leading global player. The awards mark the vital contribution made by young people to the IT profession, the entry criteria is shown below.

"Young people are creating new solutions to real world problems, driving change and showing stakeholders the benefits of innovative and technological solutions. This category recognises the outstanding achievement and commitment, both professionally and

Former Winners of the Award

2006 - Saqib Shaikh, (Microsoft Corporation)

2005 - Andrew McAnulla, (BTL Group Ltd)

2004 - Karen Elizabeth Petrie, (NASA)

2003 - James Bailey, (Eclipse Internet)

[edit] SkillCentre

Marilyn Curzon presents information about YPG SkillCentre at the Group's AGM in 2005.
Marilyn Curzon presents information about YPG SkillCentre at the Group's AGM in 2005.

The YPG run an event series called 'YPG SkillCentre' these events tend to help attendees still in the earlier stages of their career explore and develop skill areas that are typically untaught and/or neglected in the IT industry, such as advice on body language and tips on how to negoiaete a pay rise. The series established by YPG Chairman, Andrew Brown in 2003, has since trained hundreds of IT professionals.

Past events have included popular speakers such as the author of the Naked Leader, David Tayor, Chris Croft and Craig Goldblatt.

[edit] ProNetworking

ProNetworking is an event series established by YPG Chairman, Christopher Moxon in 2006 an expansion to the YPG SkillCentre event series and comprises events with two parts; offering attendees the opportunity to network whilst the second part brings together a top panel of IT professionals to share their secrets of success with the audience.

[edit] YPG OneTeam

YPG OneTeam was a project run by the YPG to consolidate the YPG's representation efforts at national and local levels.

[edit] WorkLink

Worklink was an online interactive database that allowed students to search for IT work placements. Notable employeers using the service included, Buckingham Palace.

[edit] History of the group

The YPG was originally established by students from Thames Polytechnic (now the University of Greenwich) in 1984. By 1985, the group had over 250 members and in 1986 on the 23rd April the YPG's Constitution was ratified and the group held it's inaugural conference organised by Barbara McManus.

Historical Listing of Chairs of the YPG

2005-Current Chris Moxon
2005 Kay Gamble
2003-2005 Andrew S Brown
2002-2003 James Hickson
1998-2002 Edward Wolton
1997-1998 Richard Neighbour
1996-1997 Angus Marshall
1992-1993 Nick Young
1991-1992 Alex Durkin
1990-1991 Brid Seery
1989-1990 Greg O'Hare
1988-1998 Paul Edge
1986-1988 Nick Carroll
1985 Tim McNally

[edit] External links