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Are you a young person working with standards and conformity assessment?

NSAI are offering you a chance to represent Ireland at the next International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Young Professionals Workshop in Dubai.

Apply now for one of three places available to represent Ireland at the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Young Professionals Workshop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from October 3-7, 2021. 

This represents a great opportunity for the lucky winners to enjoy all Dubai has to offer while giving you an opportunity to develop your career and network with your peers from around the globe.

Entry is easy – you just need to fill out an application form and return a 600-word essay that addresses "How Standards can mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity" to us by July 17th 2021.

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the world’s leading organization for the preparation and publication of International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies, bringing together the world's upcoming expert engineers, technicians and managers. It provides them with more opportunities to shape the future of international standardization and conformity assessment in the field of electrotechnology.

What Will I Receive?

  • Return flights from Dublin to Dubai
  • Accommodation.
  • Public transport and meal allowance.
  • Participants may also take part in the workshop remotely if preferred.

 What Requirements Do I Need?

  • You have some experience of standards development or of using standards in the context of conformity assessment
  • You are aged early 20s to mid 30s
  • You work for a business, industry, association, education body or government body that is using, benefitting from or contributing to the IEC's (International Electrotechnical Commission) work. 

How Can I Enter?

The application should be sent to Amanda-Jane.Gainford@nsai.ie by 17th July 2021.  

The application requires:

  • A copy of your CV
  • A completed application form
  • A maximum 600-word essay that addresses "How Standards can mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity".

Previous Winners' Testimonials


2019’s Irish IEC Young Professional representatives are pictured above (L-R): Rebecca Bennis of Dell Ltd, NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin and Shane McHugo, GMIT.

Rebecca Bennis, Regulatory Engineer with Dell described her experience in Shanghai as a great opportunity to learn and make new contacts:

“The IEC Young Professionals programme was a fantastic opportunity to learn and understand how standards are being developed and implemented within the electrotechnical industry. The workshop offered great educational and networking opportunities. The discussions among the 88 IEC Young Professionals from 41 different countries were very valuable to me from both a professional and personal standpoint. The opportunity to network with individuals throughout all levels of IEC was invaluable and I got the chance to make some social connections that I know will last a lifetime. Not only that, but it was an excellent means to learn what’s going on in other areas globally. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing ideas, hearing from others about the challenges and opportunities they see in the technology world, and learning different culture.”

What is the Selection Process?

After the deadline, the panel may consider the factors listed below when reading entries:

  • The candidate's perception of the role and benefit of standards to industry or to an individual company
  • Pro-activity in promoting the use of, or the participation in, standardisation
  • Indications of innovation in the candidates thinking or activity in relation to standardisation
  • The candidate's potential to contribute to the awareness of electrical standardization.

In late July, the Selection Panel will invite successful candidates who have made it to the next round to participate in an online interview.

The final three winners chosen to attend the workshop will then be notified in August. The Selection Panel's decision on the winners is final.

How Can I Learn More?

You can learn more about the competition here.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email: Amanda-Jane.Gainford@nsai.ie  

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