What is the Young Forwarder Network?
BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) enables participants to enhance their career by providing opportunities to support their professional development through exclusive events, boosting knowledge, sharing skills, advice, and experiences from industry professionals, and providing visits to places of industry interest.
The network is committed to promoting the logistics and forwarding sector as an exciting career choice and BIFA members are encouraged and supported to inspire the next generation within their local communities.
The YFN hosts regular events, both in-person and online, and all events are FREE to join. To view all our upcoming events, visit our events page.
Aims
The main aim of the YFN is to support the people who are new to the industry and are keen to develop their knowledge and professional skills.
Consisting of multiple regional networking groups across the country and a virtual YFN community, the scheme provides participants with the chance to network with their peers, learn from key industry figures, and boost their continuous professional development.
Any employee, working for a BIFA Member under the age of 32 is welcome and all events are FREE.
All apprentices completing the International Freight Forwarding standard for any freight forwarding organisation are also encouraged to attend events. All our in-person events count towards your off-the-job learning to also strengthen your apprenticeship.
Being part of BIFA’s YFN community will:
- boost your industry knowledge
- support the development of your personal network
- enable you to gain skills and experiences from industry professionals
- provide exclusive opportunities to visit places of industry interest
- inspire you and your company to promote the logistics and forwarding sector to the next generation
Regional Coverage
The regional groups we have are as follows:
- London Heathrow
- London East
- North West
- Anglia
Each region holds one in-person event per quarter or four events per year.
Organising Committees
Each region and the virtual community are run by a Local Organising Committee (LOC) group of young people with BIFA’s support. All formats will have a chairperson who will hold the position for 12 months. Our current chairs are:
- Sophie Hammond, Kuehne+Nagel – London Heathrow
- Thomas Low, OIA Global – London East
- Cameron Smith, Ligentia – North West
- Vivi Karasavvaidou – Mougkra, Maersk – Anglia
If you would like to join your region’s LOC, please get in touch with Nezda below!
Volunteers Wanted!
Click here for more information on how you can help grow the YFN in your local area.
To express your interest, please email Nezda Leigh.
