SKILLS & DEVELOPMENT
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) formed the Young Professionals Council (YPC) to develop and promote initiatives and industry awareness of the members of the Institute who are 35 years old and younger.
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he SAIMM has a constitution and by-laws that govern the way the YPC operates. The following principles are outlined in its constitution: • rendering professional services of high quality to its members and to continually improve these services by keeping abreast of technological developments • applying professional ethics in all activities and encouraging members to follow suit • fulfilling obligations towards the community and the environment • continually strengthening the SAIMM image as a dynamic organisation by playing a leading role in the initiation and implementation of new ideas and by organising events around topical themes • diligently promoting the interests of members and representing them in a competent manner • bringing the mining and metallurgical fraternity, research and education personnel, and students, together in one organisation • judiciously anticipating the needs of members.
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SAIMM-YPC activities The activities of the SAIMM-YPC encompass but are not limited to the following focus areas: • role in influencing schools – career guidance, mathematics, science, tutoring life skills, etc. • role in universities – from the selection processes to the alignment in getting the degree and its uses in the industry • role of business – best practice, training programmes, mentoring programmes and development • influencing other bodies such as the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE), and the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA), etc. for the benefit of all young professionals • influencing service providers outside the mainstream who provide secondary services • instituting entrepreneurial activities that will serve the requirements of young professionals. The main objective of the YPC is to empower young professionals in the minerals industry to contribute to the profession and society in a sustainable manner.
