By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) says it has have received “50 initial applications” for the revived Young Professionals Society (OYP).

The Chamber, in a statement, said it “is proud to announce the highly-anticipated return of the Young Professionals Society, a dynamic initiative aimed at empowering and uniting emerging leaders across the nation. Under the leadership of Duran Humes, local tech professional and entrepreneur, we will curate an environment that is conducive for meaningful dialogue and collaboration”.

Mr Humes said that while the Society is now “approaching 50” applications, he expects it to be “well over 100 very shortly”. He added: “So with the help of the Chamber, we plan on taking the programme to where we make it something that young professionals would like to be a part of.

“They see a benefit in it, in terms of the networking, as well as the general knowledge that they would gain from it; from the group, and pretty much from their partnerships with different entities, such as the US Embassy, for example. We can then go ahead and make the changes that we want to see in our country, and also give other persons a platform where it might be needed.

“The YPS is pretty much a group of persons that come together as young professionals, between the ages of 22 years-old and 40 years-old, from a whole host of different backgrounds. So it doesn’t matter if you’re specifically from the industry of finance, technology, construction, doesn’t really matter,” Mr Humes added.

“But the whole purpose of it is that we come together for either monthly or quarterly sessions, and we discuss certain topics that are happening in the country. And through the help of the Chamber, we can then encourage advocacy to both the business community, the private sector as well as government.

“The main benefit would be networking and getting to know other persons that are in other industries, and building up your relationships with everyone else that is in the community. Beyond that, it would be the ability to add your input into any topic or any discussion that’s happening currently because, again, through the Chamber, we then have a platform to advocate the different things that we think pretty much are relevant.”

Dr Leo Rolle, the Chamber’s chief executive, said the age eligibility now ranges from 22 to 40 while OYP engaged those 18 to 41. He added that some initiatives “lost momentum” but with this newer version of OYP, “you are seeing a return of our heyday staples”.

“Apart from curating an environment for young professionals, we are cultivating and encouraging entrepreneurship, professional advancement, international conferences - the Young Professionals Conference in Istanbul each November through our partnership with IOE - leadership through tech and other more aggressive goals for rounded leaders,” he said.

“I think as priorities and focal points shifted, some of the initiatives we had simply lost momentum. With a new, diverse board and cadre of young professionals within the Chamber, you are seeing a return of our heyday staples.”

Mr Humes said that because YPS is mainly aimed at young professionals, business owners are prime candidates. He said once a person meets the age requirements and completes a “very basic application”, there will be a review, adding that there is also a membership fee.