Hanover, N.H.-based technology firm to lose work force as they graduate

SPRINGFIELD -- A Hanover, N.H.-based technology company will fill a sizable gap in its work force this week after the latest batch of recruits graduate from a machinist apprenticeship program today in Springfield.

The 14 people who have survived the intense nine-week program at the Howard Dean Education Center will go immediately to work for Hywork force as they graduate Hypertherm Inc. to fill over half of the approximately 25 positions the company previously has been unable to fill.

Foster Whitworth of Hypertherm said getting involved with the CNC Machinist Program is one strategy the company is using to recruit a talented work force, despite negative perceptions about the stability of manufacturing in the area.

"Manufacturing in the Upper Valley, for the past 25 years, has had a black eye because of globalization...so the second generation candidates don't want to go into it," Whitworth said. "We've got to rejuvenate and represent the industry to them for the 21st century."

Hypertherm Inc., which makes plasma and laser technology used to cut metal, offered to fund part of each student's $8,900 tuition and set aside jobs for them after they graduated. It was the first time in the program's short history that one company planned to hire all the applicants.

The CNC Machinist Information Technology Apprenticeship Readiness Program is a collaboration between the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor and the nonprofit Vermont HITEC.

For virtually no financial cost to the applicant, apprentices are trained on CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machining and guaranteed employment at a local company for a starting wage of $12 per hour.

Julie Davis, executive director of Vermont HITEC, said the program has experienced good success in the three runs it has undergone since starting in Chittenden County last year. The Howard Dean Center is the only place in which it has been offered twice in the same location, though Davis said they are unsure whether it can return for a third session.

The Howard Dean Center hopes to develop an automotive program there, which may bump the manufacturing facilities aside, Davis said.

"The challenging thing right now is whether there will be a manufacturing facility in which to conduct the training," Davis said.

If the CNC program is discontinued, it certainly wouldn't be for lack of interest, Davis said. Eight different employers participated in each of the first two rounds of the program and Hypertherm President Dick Couch said he is already considering future involvement.

Hypertherm employs about 500 people in Hanover, N.H., and more than 700 worldwide, Whitworth said. Though the need for high-skilled labor is growing, Whitworth said it is a continual problem to find people to fill those positions. From what he's seen so far, Whitworth expects the CNC graduates to hit the ground running.

"I've seen a very structured program," Whitworth said. "The lab is very nice, it's very clean and there's a good emphasis on manufacturing safety and good exposure to the industry. It's very forward thinking."