BCS Young Professionals Group
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The British Computer Society Young Professionals Group (YPG) was formed in 1986 to provide representation, services and a support network to all BCS members under the age of 35.
As one of the largest member groups in the BCS, the membership body of the YPG is diverse, representing young IT professionals from many countries: all at varying stages of their careers and with a wide breadth of skills and specialisations.
Run primarily by Volunteers from the younger membership of the BCS, the group organises and runs Events and services aimed at the younger IT community - from traditional events such as lectures and debates, (where topics discussed might address the latest technologies or business methodologies), to networking evenings and various Competitions and Awards. Whatever the occasion, the YPG seeks to create dynamic environments where members have opportunities to network with, and seek advice from, fellow like-minded professionals.
The YPG is extensively represented at a local level by a wide network of volunteer Representatives and Ambassadors located within colleges, universities and BCS branches around the UK and Overseas.
The YPG along with the British Computer Society and its branches, run, sponsor, co-organise and judge a number of award programs, from college bursaries and student awards, to the prestigious "Young IT Practitioner of the Year Award", presented each year at an award ceremony in London.
Young IT Practitioner of the Year
The IT Professional Awards underlines 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 also mark the vital contribution made by the IT profession to both the economy and to business and public services. The YPG judges and promotes the Young IT Practitioner of the Year Award and encourages eligible members to enter, 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 personally of a young practitioner in IT today. Demonstration of a professional approach and preparation for further career development are important factors."
Former Winners of the Award
2004 - Karen Elizabeth Petrie
Karen won the award using her computing and mathematics knowledge to develop artificial intelligence applications. Working with NASA developing a system to predict the likelihood of forest fires and water levels rising through changes in temperature. In one example she managed to get the data processing time down from 24 hours to 30 minutes.
2003 - James Bailey
SkillCentre
Established by YPG Chairman, Andrew Brown in 2003, the SkillCentre event series has trained hundreds of IT professionals still in the earlier stages of their career. The events aim to explore and develop skill areas that are typically neglected in the IT industry. Past speakers have included author of the Naked Leader, David Tayor, Chris Croft and Craig Goldblatt.
History of the group
Historical Listing of Chairs of the YPG
| 2005-2006 | Chris Moxon |
| 2005 | Kay Gamble |
| 2003-2005 | Andrew Brown |
| 2002-2003 | James Hickson |
| 1998-2002 | Edward Wolton |
| 1997-1998 | Richard Neighbour |
| 1996-1997 | Angus Marshall |
| 1986-1996 | Currently Unknown |
External links
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