Young U.S. Electrotechnology Professionals Sought for Standardization Program

International program will strengthen technology transfer and shape future of standardization

Published: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 10:17

(ANSI: New York) -- The U.S. National Committee (USNC) to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is seeking nominations for young professionals at the start of their electrotechnology careers to participate in the Young Professionals 2012 Workshop, to be held in conjunction with the 76th IEC General Meeting (GM) in Oslo, Norway, during Oct. 1–5, 2012.

The Young Professionals Workshop brings together international candidates selected from IEC National Committees around the globe who are at the start of their careers in electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment. The program aims to cultivate long-term national involvement in the international arena, strengthen the future of technology transfer, and encourage the participation of young professionals in shaping the future of standardization and conformance. Ninety-one percent of last year’s participants reported interest in becoming more involved in IEC work as a result of the workshop.

“Working with a small, diverse group of highly motivated and intelligent professionals was a highlight of the program for me,” says Jonathan Colby, hydrodynamic engineer at Verdant Power, and a 2011 U.S. Young Professional awardee. “I was able to gain valuable insight into the way different countries and organizations utilize standards and contribute to the IEC.” Colby was one of three international IEC Young Professionals voted a 2011 Young Professional Leader at the 75th IEC GM in Melbourne, Australia. As such, he will seek to promote the continued engagement of 2011 members in the Young Professionals program and the IEC at large.

Alongside recipients from other nations, the three young professionals selected to represent the United States at the IEC 2012 General Meeting in Oslo will attend a dedicated workshop where they will learn more about the IEC, standardization strategies, and conformity assessment. They will also have the opportunity to attend technical meetings where standards are developed, observe meetings of the IEC Standardization Management Board and the IEC Conformity Assessment Board, and benefit from extensive networking opportunities in an international setting. Recipients will be financially supported for their travel and up to three nights of accommodation.

The Young Professionals program is targeted toward individuals who are in the early years of their professional career, post university. U.S. stakeholders are encouraged to nominate young professionals involved in standardization from industry, government, academia, consumer organizations, or any entity within the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment community that uses, benefits from, or contributes to the IEC’s work in electrotechnical standardization and conformance.

Nominations must be submitted electronically to Charlie Zegers, general secretary of the USNC at czegers@ansi.org by April 30, 2012. Letters of support from members of the standardization community attesting to the nominee’s outstanding achievements and appropriateness for receipt of the award are strongly encouraged. Download the nomination form here.

The selection process is based on the nominee’s demonstrated leadership and dedication, vision of the strategic or commercial impact of standards and conformance, and significant accomplishments in their chosen field of activity. Candidates will be assessed by a selection panel comprised of USNC officers, standing committee officers, former U.S. Young Professional recipients, and a pool of USNC Honorary Life Members. The winners will be notified in July 2012.

Now in its third year, The Young Professionals Workshop debuted at the USNC-hosted IEC 2010 General Meeting in Seattle. The inaugural program welcomed 53 young professionals from 27 countries to encourage their continued participation in standardization and conformity assessment activities.

About The Author

American National Standards Institute ANSI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system, serving the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).