Do you know an extraordinary emerging professional working in electrotechnical standards and/or conformity assessment? The U.S. National Committee (USNC) to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has opened nominations for its Young Professional Competition, which offers emerging professionals the opportunity to attend the 2026 IEC Young Professionals (YP) Workshop.
The IEC YP Workshop will be held November 16-20, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany, in conjunction with the IEC General Meeting. This exclusive workshop will bring together talented young professionals from around the world who are at the start of their careers in electrotechnical standards and conformity assessment.
What is the Young Professionals Workshop?
Launched in 2010, the YP Workshop assembles nominated international candidates who are selected by IEC National Committees around the world. Selected participants have a unique opportunity to join an important international networking event, help shape standards and conformity assessment work, share their own perspectives, and gather insights into standards and conformity assessment and their impact on technology. The overall goal is to bolster the future of technology transfer, and long-term national involvement in the international standardization arena.
Participants must demonstrate:
“The Young Professionals Workshop is a career-defining experience designed to bring together emerging industry professionals to participate effectively in global standardization activities,” said Adelana Gladstein, director, international policy, ANSI; general secretary, USNC/IEC. “The workshop can open up exciting opportunities for electrotechnical innovators for years to come.”
Apply Today! Nomination and Application Process
The USNC/IEC will sponsor up to three outstanding young professionals who work for industry, the 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 standards and/or conformity assessment. A unique opportunity to help shape standards and conformity assessment work, the program is targeted towards individuals who are in the early years of their professional career, post-university.
Eligibility requirements and the nomination process for this competition are detailed in an online flyer and nomination form. Nominations should be submitted to Mackenzie Connors ([email protected]) no later than Friday, July 17, 2026. Candidates will be assessed by a selection panel comprised of USNC Officers, policy committee members, standing committee members, former U.S. Young Professional Award Recipients, and a pool of USNC honorary life members.
Recipients will receive financial support for their travel and accommodations.
Read the USNC guidelines for a successful application to the IEC YP Program, and the Expectations of USNC Young Professionals for more information.