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Young U.S. Electrotechnology Professionals Sought for Prominent International Standardization Program

1/31/2014
The U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is currently seeking nominations of young electrotechnology professionals to participate in the upcoming IEC Young Professionals 2014 Workshop, which will be held on November 10-14, 2014, in Tokyo in conjunction with the 78th IEC General Meeting (GM). Nominations can be submitted using the USNC Young Professionals Workshop Nomination Form until April 30, 2014.

IEC Young Professionals Background
Now in its fifth 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 for 2013 were:

  • Ethan Biery, Design and Development Leader, Lutron Electronics
  • Diana Bull, Energy Converter (WEC) Modeling Lead, Sandia National Laboratories
  • Chelsey Schweikert, Product Compliance Design Engineer, Solar Turbines Inc.

Mr. Biery was also one of only three international participants voted as a 2013 Young Professional Leader, acting as an ambassador for the program and helping to shape its ongoing activities.

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 2014 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 conformance. 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 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 2014 Young Professionals Workshop will be financially supported for their travel to Tokyo 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 2014 IEC GM if selected.

Candidates will be judged based on their demonstrated leadership and dedication in connection with standards and 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 2014 Young Professionals Workshop will be notified in July 2014.

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 Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

About the USNC/IEC
The U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (USNC/IEC) serves as the focal point for U.S. parties who are interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally-relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The Committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, undertaking work in areas such as testing, certification and accreditation. As the U.S. representative to the IEC and many related regional standardization bodies, the USNC/IEC serves as a conduit to the global standards-setting community for technical and policy positions arising in the U.S. and brings issues from the global arena to the U.S. for review, consideration, and response. The USNC/IEC is a totally integrated committee of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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