10 10 Employee Education OVER 60 YEARS OF COLLABORATION The partnership between INL and institutions of higher learning began in 1954. On July 1, 1976, University Place opened its doors on the north side of Idaho Falls. Originally called the Intermountain Science Experience Center, the project received significant help from the Atomic Energy Commission (which would become part of the U.S. Department of Energy a year later).This became the nucleus of an Idaho Falls campus for Idaho State University and the University of Idaho.The campus has since grown to several acres of classrooms and laboratories, where students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in science and engineering. In 2017, University Partnerships began negotiations with College of Eastern Idaho to initiate a contract to allow employee students to take general education classes in 2018. Student employees have access to more educational opportunities than ever before. Lab employees at all levels are encouraged to seek degrees, continue their studies and pursue professional licensing and certification.To help make this possible, INL covers tuition and fees from accredited institutions. TRENDING UPWARD Based on trends, INL anticipates seeing increased participation in employee education. In 2017, there were 201 people seeking degrees, an increase of 9 percent from the 185 participants in 2016.This included a 33 percent increase in associate degrees (from three to four), a 12 percent increase in bachelor’s degrees (from 81 to 91), a 6 percent increase in master’s degrees (from 77 to 82), and doctoral pursuits remaining the same (24). NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS EMPLOYEES ATTENDED THROUGHTHE EMPLOYEE EDUCATION PROGRAM IN 2017 37 INL student employees took 806 courses in 2017, a 15 percent increase from 2016 (698). 82 Participants pursuing master’s degrees 91 Participants pursuing bachelor’s degrees 4 Participants pursuing associate degrees 24 Participants pursuing doctorates DEGREE LEVEL