Fundamental to the mission of Young Rail Professionals (YRP) is the regional expansion of the organisation, reaching across Great Britain to engage as wide an audience as possible.
Establishing regional communities expands the coverage of YRP’s activities in response to the growth of YRP membership, and facilitates accessibility to our networking, development, and outreach events.
June marks the one-year anniversary of the first YRP regional committee outside of London to be formed – the plucky and proactive group that is YRP East Midlands. This month’s article gives a special focus on this strong and growing regional branch, with a timeline of the accomplishments of YRP East Midlands.
Recently elected YRP East Midlands chairman Ben Parry, who works for YRP’s newest Platinum Corporate Member Bombardier Transportation, is moving up from his busy role as YRP East Midlands networking and development manager, so he has experience with engaging the YRP membership in the area, saying, ‘My vision for the East Midlands region as the chair is to cement our position and to ensure that the events we have planned for 2015/16 are delivered to a high quality and are well attended.’
Ben is also a bit of a YRP celebrity, having featured earlier this year on CBBC’s Technobabble, showcasing his personal skills as a YRP leader, and also his shiny new Bombardier trains, of course.
YRP East Midlands was also the first region to have their regional YRP leadership step into national YRP leadership roles. Bombardier Transportation continues to yield a rich seam of young leaders, with former YRP East Midlands chair Sabrina Ihaddaden stepping into the YRP National vice chair role, and Abhinav Sunny Chirayil supporting as the marketing manager at both the East Midlands and National levels.
Sabrina was instrumental in the formation of the regional branch and its engagement at the national level to pioneer the framework for further regional expansion. She reflects, ‘I feel very proud of the success and achievements of the YRP East Midlands, and I have no doubt in the future of the region.’
Along with the strong support of the Bombardier Transportation cadre comes a diverse crew of YRP regional leaders, employed with a number of other companies who support YRP as corporate members as well, including Aspin Group, East Midlands Trains and Ford & Stanley.
The energy of the YRP members in the region is matched by the support of their companies, as many have served as hosts for YRP networking, development and outreach events. YRP East Midlands continues to grow and to serve as an exemplar for regional ambition and excellence.
Women in Engineering World Record Attempt
On 23 June, YRP will team up with Women in Rail and with YRP Platinum Corporate Member Transport for London to celebrate National Women in Engineering Day with a Guinness World Record attempt.
Female engineers from all disciplines are invited to join the grand photo opportunity to raise awareness of women in engineering. Horse Guards Parade will serve as the venue, kicking off at 8.00 on the day. The event will provide a historic opportunity for women across the industry to meet each other and to serve as ambassadors for their profession, as it takes place in conjunction with the 100 Years of Women in Transport campaign.
YRP Summer Barbecues
Always a highlight in the YRP calendar, the Annual YRP Summer Barbecue will roll out to all of the regions this year. As the British sunshine stabilises, the dates and venues of the barbecues are being confirmed, but RailStaff readers will find out first. The barbecues will all be posted on the YRP website, along with news and photos from the many events this summer.
If anyone would like to become involved in organising future YRP events, performing outreach activities to promote the railway industry as a career choice and developing opportunities for young people to be recognised and prioritised in the wider railway industry, then contact us at: [email protected].
