WESF plays a role in promoting standardization and eliminating global trade barriers.
Standards are at the core of nearly every technology, industry, and innovation transforming society. Building a standards-literate workforce that is tuned into the opportunities that standards knowledge and participation can open up is vital.
ANSI and its members are keenly focused on building that capacity, enhancing resources, and fostering participation by new, diverse stakeholders across activities. In this article, we take a look at some of the standardization community’s efforts—from scholarships to games—to support emerging professionals in standardization.
Earlier this year, IAPMO announced the formation of a Young Professionals Committee that will partner emerging industry leaders with IAPMO experts to bring fresh perspectives to the plumbing profession, support the evolution of the industry to meet the needs of the next generation, and inform social media storytelling and other content strategies to engage emerging professionals.
ASTM International’s Emerging Professionals Program provides opportunities for new members to receive leadership training, attend professional development workshops, participate in technical committee meetings alongside a mentor, and receive financial support for relevant travel and accommodations. ASTM also recognizes exceptional young professionals contributing to additive manufacturing technology through its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence Young Professional Awards.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)’s campaign for Next Generation Engineers aims to support a diverse next generation of engineers and technicians through every phase of professional development. ASME shares that with its $50 million fundraising campaign, every dollar is invested in powerful programs that aim to “double the number of women and minorities in engineering by 2030” and “mobilize a global ecosystem of engineers to innovate a sustainable world.”
SES - The Society for Standardization Professionals supports the next generation of standards professionals through its SES Student Scholarship Program. The organization reports that the program was established to support students involved in the use of standards in their academic curriculum, as each new generation of graduating students holds the potential for helping SES achieve its mission of increasing awareness and use of standards.
This summer, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) announced the launch of its formal internship program for each of the organization’s program areas—regulatory, workforce, local initiatives, and communications. IREC invites companies to participate in this program as an internship sponsor.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) helps to motivate and support the next generation of professionals through its scholarship program. "Scholarships are an essential investment in the future of our industry,” said 2024-25 ASHRAE president M. Dennis Knight. “By supporting talented students who are passionate about building sciences and HVAC&R, we are not only helping them achieve their educational goals, but we are also empowering the next generation of professionals. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients.”
The International Code Council (ICC) supports newer professionals through its Emerging Leaders Membership Council (ELMC), focused specifically on professionals age 35 and under and/or those who have been in a codes enforcement-related profession for less than 10 years. The program offers networking opportunities and guidance on how to become more active and impactful in ICC activities.
In addition to its resources for parents, teachers, and students, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers an engaging way to learn about standards with its Adventures in Standards game, which provides a fun, non-competitive way to reinforce positive ways in which participants should interact when developing voluntary consensus standards.
ANSI is also on the forefront of supporting the next generation of standards professionals ANSI’s Committee on Education (CoE) coordinates a Request a Speaker on Standards program. Available to open to professors and instructors at any U.S. post-secondary educational institution, the program connects professors and their students with relevant experts to demonstrate standards' impact on a technology, field, or sector.
The Institute is also offering expanded resources on its Standards Boost Business webpage, and through its various training courses and webinars.
At the recent 2024 ANSI World Standards Week, newcomers to standardization attended the Emerging Standards Professionals Workshop: Leadership and Engagement in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Activities. The multi-day event, hosted by the USNC Young & Emerging Professionals Committee, primed emerging standards professionals for success in international standardization, in both IEC and ISO activities.
These are just a few of the ongoing initiatives and opportunities from ANSI and its members. Stay tuned to ansi.org for more coverage and share your resources with us at pr@ansi.org.