In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of pipeline engineering, young professionals play a crucial role in shaping the industry's future. One of the effective ways to engage the young professionals in the pipeline industry is the pipeline conferences that serve as essential platforms for young professionals to learn, connect, and grow. By actively participating in these events, young pipeline professionals can propel their careers forward, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the industry's innovation. With this mind, the pipeline technology conference (ptc) established the Young Pipeliners Engagement Committee (YPEC) in 2022. The committee did a phenomenal job in engaging young pipeline professionals at the ptc 2023 and is working hard to creating more engagement in the ptc 2024. This article summarizes the initiatives that the YPEC is planning to execute in the 19th pipeline technology conference (ptc 2024) happening from April 8-11 in Berlin, Germany.

The YPEC is made up of a diverse group of young pipeline professionals from around the world who are passionate about the future of the pipeline industry. With four founding members, Dr. Kshama Roy, Mr. Danny Molyneaux, Ms. Marguerite Forde and Mr. Anish Goswami, the committee is now comprised of total six members with Ms. Lauren Jackson and Dr. Sameera Naib joining the team in 2024. The committee's primary mission is to engage, inspire, and empower young pipeline professionals to succeed and drive innovation in the industry. Members of the YPEC meet regularly online to share ideas and collaborate on initiatives aimed at promoting young talent at the ptc 2024.

Engaging young professionals at pipeline conferences like ptc 2024 is crucial for fostering a vibrant and innovative industry community. Centered on this concept, YPEC is implementing the following strategies in the ptc 2024:

Student jobs: ptc 2024 is offering full registration cost, catering, and an hourly payment of 12 euro to the students who are interested to volunteer up to 3.5 days for the conference. This is a great opportunity not only to meet the world’s leading pipeline operators, planners, construction companies, technology suppliers and research institutes for FREE but also to learn more about this exciting industry and to introduce yourself to potential employers. Check the details here.

Reduced registration fee for students: ptc 2024 is offering a significantly reduced fee of only 50 euros for the students to attend the conference. Note that the ptc 2024 conference ticket costs 1350 euros i.e. there is 1300 euros discount for the students. Check the registration costs here. 

An interactive space for young professionals: In partnership with the Young Pipeliners International (YPI) and Young Pipeline Professionals Europe (YPPE), YPEC will have a dedicated booth at the exhibition center of ptc 2024. This booth will foster the networking opportunities, information and resources, diversity and inclusion, recruitment opportunities, showcasing the young professionals’ activities all over the world, promoting industry involvement, and work as a place to get feedbacks and suggestion for future improvement. Check the previous exhibitor list from ptc 2023 here.

Recognizing young professionals: Acknowledging the accomplishments of young pipeline professionals through awards holds significant importance for various reasons. It not only recognizes their achievements but also plays a crucial role in fostering the overall growth and vitality of industries and organizations. In partnership with YPI and ptc 2024, YPEC will be offering the following three awards at ptc 2024:

• YPI Early Achievement Award: This award recognizes the achievements of young pipeline professionals under 10 years of experience whose efforts have already made a significant contribution to the pipeline industry through their organization, and community services that go above and beyond their normal day to day duties. Details can be found here.
• YPI Emerging Young Pipeline Professional Award: This award acknowledges an up-and-coming individual (full-time student at a European university) who have demonstrated a significant contribution in the pipeline engineering space. Details can be found here.
• Dr. Klaus Ritter Award for Best Young Pipeliner Paper: In memory of Dr. Klaus Ritter, the founder of the EITEP Institute and the pipeline technology conference (ptc), this award recognizes a young pipeline professional whose paper has been judged as the best young pipeliner paper for ptc 2024. All confirmed speakers with less than 10 years of experience in the pipeline industry can apply for this award. Details can be found here.

Cross country collaboration and celebrating successes: To foster cross-country collaboration amongst the young professionals and recognizing their achievements and contributions within the industry, YPEC will arrange a dedicated young professionals social/mixer event beyond the formal conference setting in partnership with YPPE, YPI and ptc 2024.

World pipeline outlook from young professional perspective: Incorporating the perspectives of young professionals into the world pipeline outlook is not only beneficial for the industry's immediate challenges but also essential for its long-term sustainability, adaptability, and success in a rapidly changing global landscape. YPEC will be giving a 15 mins presentation on the ‘World Pipeline Outlook’ session on the closing day of ptc 2024.

In addition to these initiatives, young pipeline professionals will also actively contribute to the seminars, panel discussions, technical sessions of the ptc 2024 as presenters, session chairs, and panelists. Besides, a significant number of young pipeline professional groups from all over the world, e.g. Europe, USA, Canada, Iran, India, Malaysia, Australia and Brazil are supporting the ptc 2024. 

As the heartbeat of innovation, young pipeline professionals’ fresh perspectives and enthusiasm bring new energy to our field. YPEC believes that through actively participating in these events, young pipeline professionals can propel their careers forward, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the industry's innovation. Therefore, we request all the young pipeline professionals attending ptc 2024 to embrace these opportunities and fuel your journey towards a successful and fulfilling career in the dynamic world of pipelines. Please reach out to me or any of the YPEC members if you want to participate or have a new idea to help YPEC to reach its mission for ptc 2024.