Applications now open for IEC Young Professionals programme
Each year the International Electrotechnical Commission – the world’s leading developer of global standards for electronics – runs a programme dedicated to encouraging the next generation of standards makers. We support our National Committee to find young Kiwis ready to take that step.
- Are you in your early 20s to mid-30s with a career in electrical or electronic engineering?
- Want to be part of the world’s leading global community for electrical engineering standards?
- Keen to explore an opportunity to join the IEC conference in New Delhi, India September 2025?
Then read on….
The IEC Young Professionals programme (or IEC YP) brings together young people working in electrical engineering to build international networks of peers, learn more about standardisation and conformity assessment work and share perspectives and get exposure to new ideas.
IEC YPs are tomorrow’s leaders, helping shape not just standards development but also the organisation and its worldwide members.
Learn more about one of our IEC YPs from 2024 who got the opportunity to participate in the IEC YP programme in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Ash Charles on the IEC Young Professionals programme(external link)
What to expect
- Experience the IEC in action and get thrown into workshops and activities that showcase how standards are developed.
- Participate in The IEC Annual General Meeting and Conference, their flagship event, which brings together around 2,000 of the world’s IEC experts.
- Observe high-level management and technical committee meetings.
- Network with experts and attend workshops on the latest developments in, for example, electrotechnical, solar, AI, and quantum technology advances.
- Share your thoughts in interactive breakout sessions.
- Meet the Geneva-based IEC leadership team.
- Take part in a visit to an industrial site.
- Stand to be elected as a YP Leader to serve as the IEC YP Ambassador within the IEC who then gets invited to come back to serve as a mentor for the new IEC YPS at the next IEC Annual General Meeting, which will take place in Germany in 2026.
Continued engagement
- Continue your involvement in the programme through a series of online sessions and by becoming part of the NZ IEC YPs who play an important role as the future of our electrotechnical leaders in New Zealand.
- Benefit from increased opportunities to get involved in IEC work at the international and national level through the NZ IEC national Committee(external link).
- Contribute to annual projects led by the YP Leaders.
You can learn more through one of IEC’s short videos:
IEC Young Professionals programme [IEC YouTube channel](external link)
Eligibility requirements
- Aged between early 20s to mid-30s.
- Some experience of standard development or the use of standards and/or conformance assessment (this may have been during your university studies).
- Employed by a business, industry, association or government body that uses, benefits or contributes to the work of the IEC (you may need to seek funding to support your travel costs only. If elected, the IEC covers the costs for food and accommodation).
Get your application in
To apply please send:
- Your CV; and
- A couple of brief paragraphs explaining why you wish to apply and what makes you the ideal candidate for the IEC YP programme.
To IEC National Committee Secretary, Camilla Ojansivu camilla.ojansivu@mbie.govt.nz
Your information will be used in accordance with Standards New Zealand’s privacy policy and shared with members of the National Committee for the purposes of processing applications for the IEC YP programme. Applications close end of Wednesday 14 May. After the closing date, the National Committee will choose a candidate to be put forward to represent New Zealand.
For for further information visit the IEC Young Professionals programme webpage.