Stuff-New Hampshire

F a l l 2 0 1 9 • S T U F F 1 5 C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E S S T U F F M a d e I n N H . c o m "The job, the curriculum, the execution of the instruction, that's all done by the college and people that are employed at the college," Locke said. The company and school crafted the curriculum hand-in- hand, he said. "Nashua Community College was the one who said, 'What do you need? We'll make it happen.'" Locke said. At the end of the program, students are promised a tour and job interview with BAE Systems. There are four cohorts every year, from January to early December. Out of the 130 who have graduated from the program to date, 103 have gotten jobs at BAE, Locke said. "This wasn't going to be a 100% solution for our need, but it definitely contributed," Locke said. Locke said he sits on the (Sectors Partnership Initiative) SPI committee and other members from around the state are asking him how they can replicate this program. Manufacturing ploration and ternship Meanwhile, other programs geared toward creating a workforce pipeline from high school to manufacturers are poised to launch this year. In Milford, the engineering program at Milford High School is partnering with three manufacturing companies in the area to divide up the in- class coursework with hands-on experience as actual paid employees. Milford High engineering teacher Frank Xydias said the school started planning the program last October with the help fo Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. This fall, the first cohort of seniors and juniors will be provided paid externships (for $12 per hour) at three companies; Hitchiner in Milford, Alene Candles in Milford and Spraying Systems Co. in Merrimack. While the students spend time rotating through the three companies, they learn their manufacturing processes, from basic measuring tools to robotics automation to CNC set up and operation. Students also learn about the interview process, building resumes and safety equipment. "Each student will be at each company for about five weeks," Xydias said. Students spend three days a week in the classroom, and two days a week at the companies working up to three hours each day. The coursework is curated from existing engineering curriculum units provided by Tooling U, a program of the Society of Manufacturing Engineering. For participating in the course, students each get seven college credits through the running start program. After the semester ends, students are offered opportunities to continue working for a company of their choice full-time. The companies have invested quite a bit of money in the program, Xydias said. While the running start credits are currently covered by the state, the companies have committed to covering the cost — an estimated $300 per pupil — should state law change that. And Xydias said the program is being watched closely by top politicians. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan and Rep. Annie Kuster each have representatives on the planning committee, he said. "There's so much good stuff going on," education consultant Jacquelline Guillette said. While the state has made great leaps forward in creating opportunities for students to learn about the local job opportunities in manufacturing, and for companies to dip into a labor resource they have a hand in preparing, Guillette said there's still a lot more work to be done. Spraying Systems Co. 243 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack FOUNDED: 1937 EMPLOYEES: About 50 in New Hampshire SCHOOL CREDIT PROGRAM: Manufacturing Exploration and Externship STUDENTS PER TERM: 12 students PROGRAM FOCUS: Engineering basics and manufacturing experience Alene Candles' Manufacturing Exploration and Externship program will host about a dozen students per term.

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