Appita provides a broad range of professional development opportunities for people working at all levels in pulp, paper and bioproducts industries. This includes online and face to face learning programs, Conferences, forums, seminars, special interest groups connecting people working in similar roles across the sector and awards.
YPN Podcast Club
The Appita Young Professionals Network Podcast Club isn't about listening to podcasts. It's about exposing yourself to new ideas, learning from different perspectives and having conversations that challenge your thinking.
Hosted by Nina Yu, Secretary/Deputy Chair of Appita YPN, Podcast Club brings together a community of curious young professionals from across the Australian and New Zealand pulp, paper and packaging indutry to explore thought-provoking podcast episodes featuring business leaders, innovators, researchers, coaches and other inspiring voices.
Each month, we'll listen to one carefully selected episode before coming together online to share ideas, challenge perspectives and learn from one another in an informal and supportive environment.
The most successful professionals never stop learning.
They stay curious, seek out different perspectives and invest in conversations that help them grow.
Podcast Club creates the space to do exactly that.
Take just 45 minutes each month to step away from the day-to-day, hear fresh ideas, explore different perspectives and connect with other emerging professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. Every discussion is an opportunity to return to work with new insights, practical ideas and a broader perspective.
Our inaugural meeting is an introduction to the Podcast Club, so there's no podcast to listen to beforehand. Simply join us to meet the group, learn how the program works and help shape future discussions.
Inaugural Meeting: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Ongoing Meetings: Third Wednesday of each month (September–December 2026)
Time: 12:00–12:45 pm AEST / 2:00–2:45 pm NZDT
The Podcast Club is open to all Appita Young Professionals Network members, and new members are welcome.
Register today and be part of the conversation. Registrations close 11:59 pm, 24 August 2026.
Webinar
Appita YPN Webinar: Sustainability in Mills and Forestry
Managing risk, strengthening resilience and supporting responsible sourcing
Join the Appita Young Professionals Network for the second webinar in its 2026 series, exploring two increasingly important sustainability issues for the paper and packaging sector: water stewardship and responsible fibre sourcing.
Hear from specialists at Opal ANZ and FSC Australia & New Zealand about emerging risks, changing expectations and practical approaches that can help organisations strengthen environmental performance, operational resilience and responsible sourcing.
MODERATOR
Nina Yu
Secretary, Appita YPN
Product Life Cycle Maximisation (LCM) and Packaging Technologist, Arbex
GUEST SPEAKERS
Tara O'Brien, Environment and Sustainability Specialist, Opal ANZ
Water Stewardship in the Paper & Packaging Industry: Managing Risk, Building Resilience and Driving Performance
Water sustainability is becoming a critical business issue for the paper and packaging industry. Tara will explore emerging risks, industry best practice, and practical opportunities to improve water efficiency, resilience, and stewardship. Attendees will gain insights into future trends, sustainability reporting expectations, and innovative approaches being adopted across the sector.
Stefan Steen Jensen, Senior Policy Manager, FSC Australia & New Zealand
How FSC can support sustainable sourcing, ESG and legality requirements in the paper and packaging industry
Stefan will introduce the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and outline how its globally recognised certification system underpins responsible sourcing across the paper and packaging industry. Stefan will explain how FSC certification works, why it matters, and provide practical guidance on sourcing, verifying and communicating the use of FSC-certified materials.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Gain early insight into several new FSC initiatives including enhanced products traceability across supply chains and emerging circularity requirements designed to strengthen sustainability outcomes
- Understand the emerging water risks and opportunities shaping the future of the paper and packaging industry.
- Practical industry best practice for improving water efficiency, reducing risk and building operational resilience.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This webinar is relevant to young professionals, engineers, packaging technologists, sustainability and environmental professionals, operations teams, procurement and supply-chain professionals, and anyone interested in the changing sustainability expectations facing the paper and packaging industry.
Free for Appita members. Register now to secure your place.
Events/Programs
Annual YPN Forum and Team Building Day
YPN works closely with the Appita Technical Committee and the senior Appita Team when developing the YPN conference program. Networking events for the young professionals are incorporated into the program including the YPN Team Building Day which follows the main conference. Feedback from this group regarding current topics and issues that are relevant to the industry’s young professionals are considered for inclusion into the program.
New Speakers Competition
The purpose of the Appita New Speaker Contest is to provide an opportunity for first-time presenters to develop their presentation skills and present in front of a large audience as part of their ongoing career development. Entrants must be members of Appita (non-members are invited to join to become eligible) and have not previously made a formal presentation to an industry peer audience outside their own company. For further details CLICK HERE.
The Young Professional Mentoring Program
The Young Professionals mentoring program aims to foster new relationships and support the personal and professional growth of our next generation of industry leaders. The program is designed to be flexible to allow mentees and mentors the opportunity to work together in identifying the mentoring needs of the mentee and develop objectives for the mentee-mentor relationship. Issues are addressed and improvements are initiated. To learn more about this great initiative, CLICK HERE.