United Technologies' Best Investment? $1.2 Billion Invested in Employee Education

Employee Success Stories are Centerpiece of Company's Employee Scholar Program 20th Anniversary Celebration; More Than 45,000 Employee Scholars

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United Technologies Corporation

Oct 04, 2016, 09:00 ET

FARMINGTON, Conn., Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Julie Arthur made her mother's dream come true when she earned a bachelor's degree and became the first in her family to go to college. Arthur is among more than 45,000 United Technologies Corp. employees to participate in the company's Employee Scholar Program, one of the most generous employer tuition aid programs.

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We do the big things that others cannot. The Employee Scholar Program helps make it possible.

Julie Arthur’s story isn’t one you hear every day. An Alaska Air National Guard veteran, Julie joined Pratt & Whitney in 2008 convinced that she would find opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Courtney Dornell is a prime example of the “choosing your own adventure” at UTC. She is convinced the Employee Scholar Program will take her to the next step of her career.

UTC Employee Scholar Program Infographic

"I'm proud to honor the person who was the biggest influence in my life. My mom's dream was to see me go to college, and United Technologies made it one hundred percent possible," said Arthur, an Alaska Air National Guard veteran and a base engine manager in Alaska for Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of the corporation.

Arthur went on to earn a master's degree in management, and today is part of a team working on projects like the F119 engine.

Nearly 7,000 employees are currently enrolled in United Technologies' Employee Scholar Program, which is in its 20th year. This best-in-class program:

Pays for tuition, academic fees and books at schools around the world
Makes payments directly to educational institutions to minimize an employee's out-of-pocket costs
Offers paid time off to study on a weekly basis
Covers degrees in any field, whether or not it is related to an employee's current job

"It's the best $1.2 billion we've ever spent, because it's made our people better and our company more innovative," said Gregory Hayes, chairman and CEO of United Technologies. "No company can guarantee lifelong employment, but we believe we can guarantee the opportunity for lifelong learning."

The cost of attending college has spiked since the program launched in 1996. Over that time, United Technologies employees in more than 60 countries have earned more than 38,000 degrees. Half of the employee participants have pursued advanced degrees, with MBA and engineering degrees among the most popular. Many workers also earn technical certificates and, in the process, develop new skills.

Courtney Dornell started her career at United Technologies as an engineer 15 years ago. Today she is the director of sales and marketing for Otis Latin America and is in the process of earning an MBA degree at Columbia University.

"United Technologies is not just a company to me; it really is a family," Dornell said. "Ten years ago, I set my sights on a new role with the company, and the Employee Scholar Program has helped me get to where I am today and will continue to help me go further in my career."

Celebrating Employee Scholars

Over the next several weeks, United Technologies will continue to spotlight employee scholars like Arthur and Dornell. Examples of the power of education and lifelong learning, the company's employee scholars will be featured in videos and short stories across United Technologies social media and digital channels.

"The Employee Scholar Program is what gives our people that ability to, every day, think about what's next," Hayes said. "To those employees participating, we say thank you; and to those employees thinking about it, I can only say go do it."

To see more stories of how the Employee Scholar Program is turning dreams into reality, visit www.utc.com/ESP20. You can also follow the campaign using the hashtag #DegreesofInnovation.

About United Technologies

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. For more information about the company, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC.