New Hampshire honors Hypertherm for excellence in work-based learning

Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, is the recipient of an award for excellence in work-based learning, with the company accepting the Work-Based Learning Award in the Overall Champion category.

New Hampshire Governor John Sununu presented Hypertherm and specifically Barbara Couch, President of the Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) Foundation, the award during a ceremony in Concord, New Hampshire. The company was selected during an evaluation process that followed its nomination by the Lebanon High School.

Judges recognized Ms. Couch for her leadership in promoting work-based learning across New Hampshire, for encouraging Hypertherm Associates to volunteer, for participating on numerous boards, and sponsoring events through the HOPE foundation. Judges also called out Hypertherm’s unique STEM internship program for high school seniors, as well as its SHAPE for STEM initiative which includes the sponsorship of STEM camps for middle school students, and the sponsorship of STEM clubs for students beginning in elementary school. In addition to Hypertherm, awards were presented to student champions, school advisors, teachers, and industry partners.

“We are humbled by this award as we see our work as a way of supporting our community, and ensuring that we, as a high-tech manufacturer, have a skilled pool of people to draw from,” explained Ms. Couch. “It is of great strategic importance to us that upcoming generations are engaged and capable in all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and programs like SHAPE for STEM, combined with giving through the HOPE Foundation, and volunteering by our Associates is one way we can do that.”

Work-based learning is an educational strategy and partnership between the New Hampshire Department of Education, Community College System of New Hampshire, and the National Governors Association. It’s goal is to expose students to a real-world employment environment. The hope is that the exposure will deepen students’ learning and allow them to explore career fields in an authentic setting ensuring a strong future workforce.

Hypertherm designs and manufactures industrial cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes cutting systems, in addition to CNC motion and height controls, CAM nesting software, robotic software and consumables. Hypertherm systems are trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. The company’s reputation for cutting innovation dates back 50 years to 1968, with Hypertherm’s invention of water injection plasma cutting. The 100 percent associate owned company has more than 1,400 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.