Hi-tech training program seeks workers

BURLINGTON — A state funded partnership with Husky Injection Molding Systems and other local manufacturing businesses is seeking Vermonters to participate in a training program that promises participants high-tech manufacturing jobs upon graduation.

A group of high-tech manufacturing companies in Chittenden County are joining with the Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) and Department of Labor (DOL) to sponsor a second round of students in a state-supported apprenticeship training program for Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machinists.

“Good-paying jobs are crucial to making our state more affordable for working families, and Gov. Douglas has made it a priority to grow and keep high-tech manufacturing jobs here in Vermont,” said Mike Quinn, DED commissioner.

Successful graduates of the intensive nine-week training program will be rewarded with a full-time job at their sponsoring employer. Milton-based Husky will be sponsoring eight of the twelve slots in the training program, which is also funded by DED’s Vermont Training Program.

“Vermont’s desire and commitment to recruit and educate CNC machinists meets a critical need of the Vermont manufacturing community,” said Doug Merrill, operations manager at Husky Injection Molding Systems.

Other participating employers include Preci Manufacturing of Winooski, Hazelett Strip Casting, Inc. of Colchester, and Interstate Technology & Aerospace in Burlington.

“This program is an important part of a larger effort in Vermont to build a skilled high-technology workforce that will attract and retain local-area businesses and provide good paying jobs for Vermonters,” said Pat Mouton-Powden, DOL commissioner.

Participation in the CNC Machinist Information Technology Apprenticeship Readiness (ITAR) Program is a competitive process, and is being offered to all Vermonters interested in being trained for these high-tech positions.

Up to 12 applicants will be accepted, and graduates will immediately begin work with their sponsoring employer at a starting wage of $12 per hour with full benefits. That wage could increase incrementally over two years to $16 per hour, based on performance.

The program is administered by Vermont HITEC, a non-profit workforce development organization working in partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor.

The company has trained a total of more than 240 Vermonters throughout the past seven years in various occupations, including medical transcription, information technology, and CNC machining – all leading directly to guaranteed jobs.

“At Vermont HITEC, we believe in providing talented apprentices with all the tools to thrive — continuous training, extensive mentoring, and real world challenges,” said Gerry Ghazi, president of Vermont HITEC.

This session is the fourth of six sessions planned for Vermonters in CNC machining. Vermont HITEC has trained and placed 41 new CNC machinists with 17 employers, and is expected to train an additional 40 CNC machinists over the next two years.

Participants will be selected through a rigorous recruitment process beginning with a mandatory orientation session to be held on Monday, December 11th at 5:45 pm at the Husky Milton facility. The orientation session will include presentations from HITEC staff, state representatives, and participating employers.

Applications are encouraged as soon as possible. Candidates will be selected and notified by Dec. 27. The nine-week training session begins Jan. 8 and ends March 9. Employment with participating employers will begin March 12.

To find out more about the program go to www.vthitec.org or call 872-0660. Applicants must apply online in advance of the orientation session.

Posted November 29, 2006

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