Youth-focused program rebrands

A COMMERCE Ballarat program aimed at nurturing the local business landscape’s next generation is undergoing some fresh, new changes.

Staff announced the rebranding of the organisation’s Young Professionals Network to the NextGen Collective on Thursday last week.

Commerce Ballarat’s Dylan Zampatti, the project’s lead, said the initiative is an exciting one for the region’s young people.

“With our old program, we basically just did more casual networking events so we’re breathing new life into it by adding more opportunities like lunch and learns, workshops and seminars,” he said.

“We’re rebranding this year to really enhance skills and continue to support the next generation of leaders in Ballarat.”

Mr Zampatti said the rebrand has been in the works for about six months.

He expects it to bolster the program following a post-pandemic decline.

“Since COVID, participation has decreased a little bit in terms of engagement so we’re thinking coming out and really revamping it will get more people engaged and get it up and running again,” he said.

“In our Facebook group, we have over 300 people, and there’s been on average between 60 to 100 representatives at our networking events.”

Established in late 2013, the initiative provides career networking and development opportunities for the region’s young people aged in their 20s and 30s. Social networking events are also held, with the first one under the rebrand to be barefoot bowls at Midlands Golf Club on Thursday 13 March.

Alongside the rebrand, Commerce Ballarat is also partnering with recruitment and human resources agency Inspire HQ as its key sponsor for the 2025 campaign.

Inspire HQ director Ange Connor said she is excited to support the region’s next generation in a similar way.

“We’re partnering with Commerce Ballarat to deliver a number of events through the year, one with a social aspect to really focus on networking and collaboration,” she said.

“We want to offer a bit more in terms of personal and professional opportunities and helping them build their career development skills.

“Earlier in my career, I attended many of the Young Professionals networking opportunities and found them really beneficial.

“In terms of the rebranding and the focus behind it, it was a really great alignment between Inspire HQ and the services we offer.”

Young Commerce Ballarat members can take part in the program’s events at a reduced fee, while non-members can participate for the full entry cost.

Keep up to date by visiting the Commerce Ballarat website, where a mailing list subscription is available, or via the NextGen Collective Facebook page.