Search Icon White
YP_LOGO

Young U.S. Electrotechnology Professionals Sought for Prominent 2016 International Standardization Competition

12/14/2015

According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 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 2016 Workshop, which will be held on October 10-14, 2016, in Frankfurt, Germany, in conjunction with the 80th IEC General Meeting (GM). Nominations can be submitted using the USNC Young Professionals Workshop Nomination Form until April 29, 2016.

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 2016 workshop. The selectees may be employed by industry, the government, academic bodies, consumer organizations, or any other member 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 stages of their profession—graduate engineers or managers, for example.

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 2016 Young Professionals Workshop will be financially supported for their travel to Frankfurt 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 2016 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 2016 Young Professionals Workshop will be notified in May 2016.

To nominate yourself or another individual, complete the USNC Young Professionals Workshop Nomination Form and submit it to Tony Zertuche, general secretary of the USNC, via email at [email protected] by Friday, April 29, 2016.

IEC Young Professionals Background

Now in its seventh 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 2015 were:

  • Christopher R. Dorr, senior hardware engineer, Rockwell Automation
  • Joseph M. Spossey, technical expert, Intertek Energy
  • Lieutenant William Williams, marine inspector and port state control officer, USCG Sector

About ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is made up of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents the diverse interests of more than 125,000 companies and organizations and 3.5 million professionals worldwide.

The Institute 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), and is a U.S. representative to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

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.

CONTACT

Jana Zabinski

Senior Director, Communications & Public Relations

Phone:
212.642.8901

Email:
[email protected]

Beth Goodbaum

Journalist/Communications Specialist

Phone:
212.642.4956

Email:
[email protected]