Finalists for the Young Auctioneer Competition are announced

The competition was not held last year due to the coronavirus and ALPA chief executive Peter Baldwin said this year's competition had to be adapted to meet COVID-19 protocols, which meant there was no selection school.

Competitors were instead assessed from a video of a live auction where they were required to sell three pens.

The raw footage was sent to the selection judges, who paid particular attention to diction, manner, knowledge and values.

Mr Baldwin said the videos were the next best thing to holding the selection school and captured the adrenaline of selling to a live market.

He said video footage could be used going forward as a way to provide feedback to each auctioneer about their performance.

The rise of online auctions made video footage more relevant, as it demonstrated how online buyers saw each auctioneer.

Mr Baldwin said the competition was about fostering professional development for aspiring agents.

"Whilst this is an auctioneers competition, that's just a small part of it in some ways," he said.

"We want to see these young women and men become great agents and great people and great leaders.

"This forms the basis on which we as a peak industry body can provide the education and professional development, that not only their companies provide for them but we can provide as a complementary measure as well."

The competition is open to auctioneers under the age of 25.

The ten finalists are:

The final will be held at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham on February 22.