As part of our Youth Month programme, we hosted the CESA Young Professionals Forum (YPF) Youth Best Practice Webinar, on 18 June, bringing together accomplished young engineering professionals to share their experiences, lessons learned and insights on navigating the challenges and opportunities within the profession. 

Facilitated by Memory Silaule of Lubisi Consulting, the webinar encouraged attendees to think beyond their own careers and consider how young professionals can implement change and improve the lives of future engineers and graduates entering the industry. This set the tone for a meaningful discussion on leadership, growth and creating opportunities for the next generation. 

Drawing on her journey in water engineering, Erika Braune of AECOM highlighted the importance of continuous learning and embracing feedback as a catalyst for professional growth. Noel Dube of Sky High Consulting Engineers shared insights on building a strong professional reputation through consistent performance, professional registration and visible project delivery, while also encouraging young engineers to advocate for the advancement of young professionals within the sector. 

Prinell Naicker of Knight Piésold Consulting reflected on the importance of resilience in career development, emphasising that challenges and setbacks provide valuable opportunities for growth and adaptation. Tinashe Mukalela of Avenir Holdings highlighted the critical role of emotional intelligence, noting that the ability to work effectively with others is equally important to technical expertise in achieving long-term career success. 

The webinar served as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and professional development, reinforcing the message that successful engineering careers are built not only on technical competence but also on resilience, adaptability, collaboration and a commitment to continuous learning. Through initiatives such as these, we continue to support and empower the next generation of engineering professionals.