Workforce Development-Young Professionals Programme Committee (WD-YPP) (2024-2027)

Committee Members  

General objectives of the Committee

The WD-YPP Committee was appointed by the General Assembly of the IAF in 2007. The Committee’s scope includes all matters pertaining to international space community workforce development. The Committee shall focus on early career professionals in the aerospace industry including science, engineering and policy fields of endeavour. The Committee will encourage career development directed toward creating a globally informed space community in space agencies, industry, academic institutions, and other organisations as represented by the IAF members. The Committee will also provide overall guidance on the Young Professionals Program (YPP) conducted at the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), in both content and organisation. The Committee is committed to robust communications and web-based events throughout the year with its young professionals and related groups. In this regard the Committee will advise the IAF on steps it can take to involve the young professional participants in the annual IAC and other IAF activities. The Committee organises and leads several activities at the IAC and other IAF events to create opportunities and pathways to the future for Young Professionals.

Committee rules for membership applications and renewal

Prospective Members wishing to join the IAF Workforce Development-Young Professionals Programme Committee (WD-YPP) shall make their request in writing to the IAF Secretariat and/or committee Chair by submitting a CV and Cover Letter. If the request to join is sent to the IAF Secretariat, the IAF Secretariat shall liaise with the Committee Chair, who will bring the request to the next Committee meeting.

Symposiums/sessions and events at the IAC

• Networking and Career Development Events typically held on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings after the evening Plenary is finished.
• Global Technical Sessions (GTS). These technical sessions, held in partnership with IAF Technical Committees, include remote participation, allowing the presenters who cannot attend the IAC in person to participate virtually.
• Global Networking Forum event targeted for young professionals.
• Organising an annual Cross-Cultural Workshop to be held during the IAC in collaboration with SEOC.
• Proposing and organising (if selected by the IPC Steering Committee), a Next Generation Plenary each year with SEOC.

Other committee activities

• Post-IAC Survey of YPs to improve YPP at IACs
• Joint sponsorship and steering committee member of Emerging Space Leaders Grant Programme
• Steering committee member of Young Space Leaders Recognition Programme

Young Professionals Events at IAC 2019