The U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is currently seeking nominations of emerging electrotechnology professionals to participate in the upcoming IEC Young Professionals 2015 Workshop, which will be held on October 12-16, 2015, in Minsk, Belarus, in conjunction with the 79th IEC General Meeting (GM). Nominations can be submitted using the USNC Young Professionals Workshop Nomination Form until April 30, 2015.
IEC Young Professionals Background Now in its sixth year, the Young Professionals Workshop program was initiated to encourage emerging electrotechnology professionals' participation in standardization and conformity assessment activities. The U.S. Young Professionals selected in 2014 were:
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Each year, the Young Professionals Workshop assembles international candidates at the beginning of their careers in electrotechnical standardization who have been chosen by IEC National Committees around the world. The program supports the increased involvement of young professionals in international electrotechnical standards and conformity assessment work, bolstering the future of technology transfer and long-term national involvement in the international standardization arena.
The USNC will select up to three young professionals to represent the United States at the 2015 workshop. The selectees may be employed by industry, the government, academic bodies, consumer organizations, or any other members of the U.S. standards and conformance community that uses, benefits from, or contributes to the IEC's work in electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment. The program is intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate education and are in the early years of their professional career.
Alongside recipients from other nations, the USNC-selected young professionals will take part in a dedicated workshop covering information about the IEC and relevant strategies for international standardization and/or conformity assessment work. Participants will also be given the opportunity to visit local industry, receive guidance from a mentor, and observe a meeting of the IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB) and Conformity Assessment Board (CAB). Individuals chosen to take part in the 2015 Young Professionals Workshop will be financially supported for their travel to Minsk and for up to three nights of accommodations.
Candidates may be nominated by any interested stakeholder who is not a member of the program's selection panel; letters of support from members of the standardization community testifying to the candidate's appropriateness for the workshop and significant achievements to date are highly encouraged. Prospective candidates may also nominate themselves, but must provide at least one letter of professional recommendation and written assurance that their employers have agreed to allow them to attend the 2015 IEC GM if selected.
Candidates will be judged based on their demonstrated leadership and dedication in connection with standardization and/or conformity assessment activities, as well as their vision of the larger commercial and strategic impact of standards and conformance work, and their accomplishments in their chosen field of activity. Nominated individuals will be assessed by a selection panel made up of USNC officers, standing committee officers, former U.S. Young Professionals Workshop participants, and a pool of USNC Honorary Life Members. All individuals chosen to take part in the 2015 Young Professionals Workshop will be notified in July 2015.
To nominate yourself or another individual, complete the USNC Young Professionals Workshop Nomination Form and submit it to Charlie Zegers, general secretary of the USNC, via email at [email protected] by Thursday, April 30, 2015.