b'INVESTING IN IDAHOSFUTURE WORKFORCEFOR OVER 70 YEARS,INL has been a force for outstanding educational and employment opportunities in Idaho. Now, as ourWorking with our partners in educationbusiness portfolio continues to grow and many INL employees approach retirement, the field is wide open for a new generation ofIn addition to offering workforce projections to regional academic institutions, INL is helping those schools develop programstalented individuals to take the reins and continue to drive the lab forward. that prepare students for careers at the lab. Examples of these efforts include:From research scientists and reactor operators to mechanics and construction workers, INL is helping Idaho prepare young people for aESTECAfter helping create the EnergyEmployee Education ProgramINL investsCEIFollowing the creation of the Collegewide variety of careers at the lab. The energy, environment and critical infrastructure challenges that INL studies require a well-trainedSystems Technology and Education Centerin its employees, creating the opportunityof Eastern Idaho in 2017, INL has been a workforce, and INL is investing in efforts to ensure that Idahoans are prepared to fill those positions. (ESTEC), part of the College of Technologyto further their education and professionaldedicated partner in developing industry-at Idaho State University, INL is now helpingdevelopment. This year, 264 INL employeesrelevant courses at the school. Many of these Opportunities abound Preparing for the future it continue to grow. The nuclear operationswere enrolled in degree programs at Boisedegree programs, like radiation safety and In the spring of 2020, as it became clear that theIn 2020, INL completed a comprehensive analysisprogram at ESTEC recently sent five studentsState University, College of Eastern Idaho,information assurance & cybersecurity, are pandemic was not going to fade away quickly,of the labs near-term nuclear workforce needs.to attend training in Chernobyl. ThisIdaho State University and University of unique in a community college setting. By uncertainties abounded. INL was faced with aThese projections serve as the foundation forunique opportunity, along with programIdaho. This program supports our employeesencouraging community colleges in our difficult question: How can we proceed with ourthe strategic workforce development efforts ofadvancements like a new glovebox, agrowth while investing in Idahos colleges region to offer courses like these, we help internships and other university programs? Thelaboratory leadership, as well as our partners incommercial reactor simulator and a classand universities. Idahoans prepare for careers at the lab at a lab typically welcomes hundreds of students togovernment and academia. In particular, thisthat allows students to operate the nuclearlocal, affordable educational institution.eastern Idaho for internships each year, but itanalysis offered a better understanding of thereactor at Idaho State University, are all was clear that this traditional arrangement wouldtypes of positions that INL is likely to be hiringhighlights in a year of tremendous growth not be an option during the pandemic. So wefor, the estimated number of hires by year, andfor ESTEC. With recent advancements, theProjected nuclear research and operations hiresdid what INL does best: We tackled the problemthe educational requirements for those jobs.program is on track to soon offer a bachelors head-on and we innovated. In fiscal year 2020,This information positions all stakeholders todegree in cybersecurity studies. ESTECs most INL internships were completed virtually,implement education and training programs nuclear reactor operator training program isBusiness 66 63 Managerialwith students telecommuting from more than that prepare Idahoans to fill these needs. being split into two separate programs, Services30 states. Students received meaningfulSimilarly, INL analyzed the near-term needs forand INL is helping Idaho State University27 Additionaleducational experiences in a way that prioritizedconstruction workers in the region. As the labfaculty design the curriculums for them. 135 Occupationstheir safety and that of our Idaho neighbors.Union TradeOur example led the way, providing a model forgrows, so, too, does eastern Idahos status as the80 Facility Services/other DOE national labs to continue their owncenter of the modern nuclear energy industry. Technical281 Operationsinternship programs.INL will not be the only entity in the region27 Sciencerequiring construction of highly specialized facilities soon. We are working in tandem with320 Computer/other nuclear industry companies to ensureEngineering 18 Informationthat construction firms in the region will be prepared to meet the growing demand for these types of projects. By collaborating with these companies before they arrive in Idaho, we lay the groundwork for successful relationships. INL researcher Dr. Dong Ding (right) with internESTEC student at Idaho State University.Joshua Gomez (left). 16|Idaho National Laboratory|your.inl.gov your.inl.gov|Idaho National Laboratory|17'