The safety and security sectors stand at a critical juncture, contending with persistent skills shortages and the urgent need to integrate fresh perspectives to address the evolving landscape of modern threats. As experienced professionals advance in their careers, a significant gap is emerging, creating a vacuum that new talent must fill not just to maintain the status quo, but to drive the industry forward with innovation and adaptability. Recognizing this challenge, a pivotal new initiative has been launched by the Safety & Security Event Series, organized by Nineteen Group, aiming to do more than just recruit—it seeks to actively champion, empower, and integrate the next generation of leaders. The “Next Gen Network” is a strategic response designed to build a resilient workforce by giving early-career professionals a prominent platform to influence industry conversations, share their unique insights, and help future-proof the very sectors they are joining. This program is scheduled to run during the 2026 series from April 28-30 at the NEC Birmingham, marking a conscious investment in long-term vitality.
A Platform for Emerging Voices
At its core, the Next Gen Network functions as a dedicated conduit for amplifying the voices of emerging professionals, ensuring they are not just passive observers but active participants in shaping industry discourse. The initiative is structured to dismantle traditional barriers that can prevent new talent from contributing meaningfully to high-level conversations. By creating a formal platform, the program moves beyond mentorship to genuine empowerment, allowing young professionals to share experiences, challenge established norms, and offer solutions from a vantage point unburdened by legacy thinking. This framework is vital for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The program, which will be a central feature of the upcoming Safety & Security Event Series, provides a structured environment where these contributions are not only welcomed but actively solicited, ensuring that the industry’s future is being co-created by those who will one day lead it. It represents a clear commitment to nurturing talent from the ground up.
The practical application of this vision is realized through a diverse range of opportunities designed to accelerate professional development and expand industry networks. Ambassadors of the program will engage directly with key industry stakeholders through a variety of high-visibility activities. These include participating in panel discussions, where they can share their perspectives alongside seasoned experts, and contributing to content creation for the event series, which allows them to influence the narrative and educational focus of major industry gatherings. Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes community-building through exclusive events. A notable example is the “Next Gen Networking Drinks,” scheduled for April 28, which offers a relaxed yet professional setting for young professionals to forge connections with peers and established leaders. These tangible engagements are designed to provide invaluable experience, build confidence, and foster a strong sense of belonging within the broader safety and security community.
Forging a Collaborative Future
The underlying philosophy of this initiative is a firm belief that collective action is indispensable for attracting, retaining, and elevating the next wave of industry talent. Nathan Stovell, Senior Marketing Manager for the event series, articulated this sentiment by noting that “young people bring new ideas, new energy and a different lens on the challenges our industries face.” This perspective highlights a strategic shift from merely filling vacancies to actively cultivating an environment where new ideas can flourish. The Next Gen Network embodies this commitment by providing the necessary space and support for emerging professionals to not only succeed but to thrive and drive meaningful change. By investing in their growth, the industry is not just securing its own future but also ensuring it remains dynamic and capable of innovating in response to an ever-changing risk landscape. This proactive approach is essential for long-term sustainability and relevance in a world of increasing complexity.
This forward-thinking approach is significantly bolstered by a powerful coalition of leading industry organizations, underscoring a sector-wide consensus on the importance of this mission. The endorsement and active support from bodies such as the Fire Industry Association (FIA), Skills for Security, and Women Talking Fire signal a unified front in the effort to strengthen skills pipelines, enhance diversity, and secure the industry’s future. This collaboration is crucial, as it transforms the Next Gen Network from a single organizer’s initiative into a collective movement. It demonstrates a shared understanding that the challenges of talent acquisition and development are too significant to be addressed in isolation. By joining forces, these organizations amplify the program’s impact, ensuring that its mission to foster education, collaboration, and career progression resonates across every level and corner of the safety and security sectors.
A Blueprint for Industry Renewal
The launch of the Next Gen Network marked a decisive step toward addressing the critical need for new talent and fresh perspectives within the safety and security industries. By creating a dedicated platform for early-career professionals, the initiative established a powerful mechanism for empowerment, ensuring that the voices of the future were not only heard but were also integral to shaping the industry’s direction. The collaboration with key industry bodies fortified this effort, transforming it into a unified movement aimed at building a more diverse, skilled, and resilient workforce. This strategic investment in talent cultivation provided a clear blueprint for how established sectors could proactively manage demographic shifts and skills gaps. Ultimately, the program did more than just open doors; it laid a foundation for sustainable growth and innovation, securing a dynamic future for the industry.
