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Back to SearchGHD’s global Young Professionals (YP) program is continuing to prove its worth in helping YPs build strong working relationships with peers and clients, and develop the skills needed to realise their career aspirations.
A great example of the program’s popularity and success was the recent YP Forum for GHD’s Victorian operations, which brought together more than 170 YPs at the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Guests included many clients, as well as GHD employees.
A panel featuring senior representatives from Orange Businesses Services Australasia, South East Water, GHD Digital and GHD were guided by the theme: Can you compete with a robot? Watch the event highlights video here.
The panel discussed the value of developing traditional technical skills knowing that perhaps one day a robot may be doing it all.
“We know that the most high-performing chess teams are always those that are augmented between artificial intelligence and humans. Looking into the future we need to focus on how we can take the benefits of both in the workplace and get the right balance,” said Jacyl Shaw, Global Practice Director of Digital Innovation, GHD Digital.
“We’re finding that soft skills are highly sought after when it comes to job ads and recruitment," added Kelly Fawcett, Research & Policy Manager, The Foundation for Young Australians. "Critical thinking, teamwork, time management and communication are so crucial to the future and are the skills that set you apart. These human skills are the ones that machines can’t replicate.”
Many YPs left the event feeling confident in building their careers and staying relevant in a digital age. Carly Gregg, Environmental Engineer, GHD and YP committee member said, “I am really excited about my future and all the new jobs that are being created every day. It was interesting to hear that it will soon be normal to have more than 17 different jobs over five different careers in this day and age.”
“It is so nice to be part of a company that is invested in my development,” she added.
GHD’s YP program was founded in Melbourne and today there are active YP committees across North America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. These YP committees facilitate a number of social, professional and community development events year-round including internal and external seminars, social events, networking events, yoga or Pilates, lunchtime running groups, weekend activities, a ‘speed-networking’ evening where YPs are given the opportunity to speak one-on-one with company managers, and a coffee networking program which encourages networking with senior leaders in GHD. Australian YP’s can also engage in community activities through GHD’s partnerships with Brotherhood of St Lawrence and RedR.
These events bring together people with less than 10 years of professional experience and encourage peer-to-peer collaboration.