Hypertherm seeks 16 more machinists

For the third time this year, Hanover-based Hypertherm Inc. has announced plans to hire and train up to 16 more CNC machinists. The CNC machinist positions — which involve machining products using a computer program — are for second- and third-shift operations. Workers will earn a starting wage of $12 per hour with full benefits, the company said, and the pay may increase incrementally over two years to $14 to 16 per hour, based on performance. Hypertherm made the announcement of the 16 new positions a month after they hired 26 machinists in July. The hiring will be conducted through the company’s partnership with River Valley Community College’s STAR program. The STAR program offers workers an accelerated two-year advanced manufacturing apprenticeship while being employed with Hypertherm. At the same time, these workers will earn college credits which can be applied towards an associate’s degree at the Claremont college. The process for choosing participants will begin with a mandatory job fair that begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Hypertherm Technical Training Institute in Lebanon. The fair will include presentations from Hypertherm staff as well as assessments and interviews with Hypertherm recruiters. Participants also will have the opportunity to receive a nationally recognized industry certification through the state Labor Department’s Apprenticeship Division. Interested applicants must visit the college website at rivervalley.edu to fill out an online application. For more information, contact Jim Britton at the college, 603-542-7744, ext. 5346, or jbritton@ccsnh.edu. — JEFF FEINGOLD/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW