THUNDER BAY -- Ontario’s young professionals are pushing to have their collective voices heard.
With a push from Thunder Bay’s Michael Nitz and Nathan Lawrence on Wednesday, they ensured it would happen by launching the Young Professional Network of Ontario.
Lawrence, a co-founder of the newly formed advocacy and business networking group, said the timing couldn’t be better.
“All of our community leaders are talking about needing to engage the younger demographic,” Lawrence said, reached by phone in Toronto where the province-wide launch was announced at a noon-hour event.
About 30 young professionals networks from across Ontario have signed on to the larger organization, which Lawrence said will give the under-40 set a louder voice on issues of concern.
And there are plenty, Lawrence added, including how the province is going to be managed going forward and what Ontario plans to do to attract and engage young professionals and their families to work and play in the province.
“By collaborating as a greater organization, as a greater group, we can help each other become more successful in our communities than we already are,” Lawrence said.
Co-founder Nitz, a member of Thunder Bay’s SHIFT Young Professionals Network, said networking is important, something that’s been missing in Ontario in his demographic.
‘There has been a significant lack of opportunities for young professionals across the province to meet like-minded peers and have a voice on provincial issues,” Nitz said in a release.
“YPNO is a volunteer-based organization that will serve as an essential provincial network to connect, engage, inspire and advocate for professionals under 40 years.”
On Wednesday the group announced its six core pillars: community engagement, social, business and the economy, the environment, personal and professional development and provincial connectivity.
YPNO also launched its Meet Us, Hear Us campaign at Queen’s Park on Wednesday.
“Our advocacy goal is to inform politicians and decision-makers about the hot issues concerning young people today,” Lawrence said.
“The current provincial deficit, lack of incentives to attract and retain young people, infrastructure planning and jobs are just a few of the top concerns. We hope political or socio-economic influencers leverage YPNO as a unique opportunity to engage future leaders on key issues.”
