Why we exist:

• To represent the views, needs and wants of Younger Members of the Institute (normally under the age of 35).
• To aid recruitment and retention of members to the Institute.
• To promote the Institute as a professional body.
• To support a network of members to act as a focus and voice for Younger Members.
• To represent the views of Younger Members to the wider Science and Engineering communities.
• To report to Council about on going initiatives and activities being organised and undertaken by the Committee.
• To ensure that technical communities within the Institute have suitable representation of and embrace the needs of Younger Members.

Background

The Younger Members’ Committee (YMC) was formed in 1967 and exists to represent the views and needs of members under the age of 35. Marking its 40th anniversary celebrations in 2007, the YMC is one of the longest-running committees within the Institute’s history, and one of the most active, reporting directly to the Institute’s Council.

The committee has worked tirelessly to bring events to members and address issues that are important to younger members as a group. Successes to date include soft skills seminars and a dedicated Research and Innovation Conference, now in its sixth year, specifically for younger members.

The members of the YMC are also proud of the Institute’s position within the Young Engineers Forum (YEF), a group of around 35 science, engineering and technology institutions in which the Institute is taking a lead role.

The YMC comprises members who represent the regions, disciplines and membership grades of the Institute and local societies, with a good mix of academics and industrialists.

Younger members now have a say at all levels within the Institute and, with representations on the majority of the Institute's committees and technical communities, including Council, Professional Policy Board, Education Committee, Materials Strategy Commission, Light Metals Division and Iron & Steel Society, to name but a few.

Given the wide and varied backgrounds and disciplines of the YMC members, ranging from academia to industry, they are well positioned to represent Younger Members.