Education, training and technical assistance in international standardization

Both developed and developing country members of ISO need to keep up to speed with new developments in the areas of international standardization. This is not only valid for the staff of national standards bodies but also for all their experts (internal and external) and stakeholders who contribute in the development of standards or who use and implement them.

ISO has therefore developed a suite of technical assistance and training packages, tailored to the variety of needs of its members. These packages are described in the Catalogue of ISO's techncial assistance and training programmes for ISO members - Developing talent available here.

ISO members from developing countries benefit mostly from technical assistance activities delivered by ISO in the context of the implementation of the ISO Action Plan for developing countries 2011-2015 thanks to financial support provided by donors and other ISO members.

On the other hand, ISO members from both developed and developing countries, who have the resources and who participate fully in the technical work of ISO, make the most of the various training courses that are provided in order to operate efficiently and effectively, using the most relevant IT tools and eServices. This ensures timely release of much-needed ISO deliverables.

The technical assistance and training provided by ISO is absolutely critical for keeping the ISO system primed and operating to the maximum efficiency. We owe this not only to our members but also to the international community who expects us to provide quick, credible and consensus-based solutions to an ever-increasing complex world.

In the area of education, it is clear that innovation and new technologies depend more than ever on International Standards that create a world market for them and which act as vehicles for their dissemination. Knowledge of the economic, technical and social importance and benefits of standards therefore become imperative in the curricula of future managers, scientists and technologists. ISO is keen to support universities and other higher education institutions in their efforts to introduce the subject of standardization in their curricula. Among other initiatives, ISO has established the ISO Award for Higher Education in Standardization. The ISO Award aims to raise awareness of the importance of standardization worldwide by supporting institutions of higher education that have developed and implemented successful programmes related to standardization as a tool to access world markets, transfer technology and promote good business practice and sustainable development.”