Instep forum inspires the Bay’s future leaders

Instep forum inspires the Bay’s future leaders

Today marked the final meeting of the year for the 2015 Instep Young Leaders, which was celebrated with a ‘Handover Breakfast’ to welcome new leaders for 2016 and to farewell those leaving school at the end of the year to take on new challenges.

The forum was established in 2009 by Priority One’s Instep programme, which links local secondary school students with businesses to encourage a motivated and innovative future workforce and inspire young people to make informed career choices. It comprises Board of Trustee student representatives who are elected by their student body and supported by other school leaders from the 10 secondary schools based in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Twenty-three student leaders representing nine secondary schools attended the breakfast event, as well as keynote speaker Luke Chivers, External Relations Advisor for Zespri International. Luke was one of the inaugural 2009 Instep Young Leaders, so it was with great interest that the story of his career journey since leaving Bethlehem College was received. He talked about the importance of leadership skills to the development of all career paths and also provided useful tips on what he had learned about leadership and life in general since leaving school.

“The Instep Young Leaders Forum is a fantastic opportunity for our local youth to develop their leadership potential while networking with key Bay of Plenty professionals. It’s really exciting to see the next generation of leaders coming through – they’ll certainly be influential change-makers in the future,” says Luke. “Our young leaders are thinking well beyond the realm of their school – they’re looking at society at large and how they can make their mark. We can be rest assured that we’re in safe hands.”

Jimmy Bos, who was a Year 11 student when he first joined the Instep Young Leaders Forum in 2013, facilitated the feedback discussion on the activities that had taken placed during the year, and led a brainstorming session on what the incoming young leaders would like to be involved in during 2016.

The purpose of the Instep Young Leaders Forum is to provide secondary school students with:

• Opportunities to discuss issues of importance to youth;

• Networking opportunities with like-minded people;

• Support in the development of their own leadership skills; and

• An awareness of future career opportunities in the sub-region.

Some of the topics that the students have discussed in workshops over the years include the SmartGrowth long term planning framework, the change to funding for school bus services, and more recently youth engagement and the use of green spaces. Other regular events include a speed career networking session with the Chamber of Commerce and Priority One Rocket Young Professionals, attending the launch of the annual Western Bay @ Work careers fortnight, and celebrating our sub-region’s future entrepreneurs at the annual Young Innovator Awards. The Instep Young Leaders are also invited to Priority One member functions, providing them with an excellent opportunity to meet local business leaders and develop their networking skills.

The forum has also developed strong partnerships with Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Each year begins with a City Leaders Breakfast, where the students are able to put their most pressing questions to the Mayors of Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and the Chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Priority One’s Instep Manager, Lyn Parlane, says, “We have had the privilege of meeting some very talented young people over the years and it’s always heartening when they remain in contact with us and, like Luke, return to live and work in the region.”

ENDS

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