Telegraph photo by GRACE PECCI Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. Senior HR Generalist Julia Fretwell takes Milford High School students on a tour of the company’s facility in April. Hitchiner has partnered up with Milford High School for a new Manufacturing Exploration & Externship program which will allow students to gain experience out in the field while earning both classroom and college credits, and getting paid. The company, along with Spraying Systems Co., were recently recognized for their Work-Based Learning efforts with the “Industry Partner Champion Award.

MILFORD – Two local companies have been recognized for their success in partnering with Milford High School to provide students with work-based learning opportunities.

Last month, Merrimack’s Spraying Systems Co. and Milford’s Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. were recognized for their work-based learning efforts with the “Industry Partner Champion Award” during the second annual awards ceremony hosted by Work-Based Learning New Hampshire.

The award ceremony took place last month at Manchester Community College. During the event, awards were also presented to teachers, academic advisers and coordinators, as well as students.

As part of its goal to expand and enhance opportunities for New Hampshire’s students, the New Hampshire Department of Education and the Community College System of New Hampshire have assembled a team representing educators, industry representatives and educational and government leaders to promote work-based learning programs.

The New Hampshire Department of Education defines work-based learning as “an educational strategy that offers students knowledge and skills through instruction or study, in a real-world employment environment, to deepen their learning and explore career fields in an authentic setting.”

Thanks to a successful collaboration between Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Spraying Systems Co. and Milford High School’s Applied Technology Center, the Manufacturing Exploration and Externship Program has taken off this year. With this option, 24 students are currently receiving high school credit, six college credits, and hands-on manufacturing and industrial experience, all while earning $12 per hour.

Students spent the first few weeks of their semester in the classroom learning about safety procedures and preparing to go into the field. For the rest of the semester, students will be spending about six hours per week directly in the field at Spraying Systems and Hitchiner Manufacturing.

In total, students will spend three days a week in the classroom training and two days putting their training to the test at Spraying Systems and Hitchiner Manufacturing.

Last year, nearly twice as many students as there were spots available requested to take the course. To get into the course, students had to apply and interview with Spraying Systems and Hitchiner Manufacturing officials.

Hitchiner Manufacturing Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Services Tim Sullivan stated on the matter, “Hitchiner is honored to be a co-recipient of the Industry Partner Champion Award, which was only made possible by the willingness of Milford High School Applied Technology Center teachers and Milford High School administration to explore experiential learning for students interested in manufacturing as a potential career.”

Former Milford High School Director of Technical Studies Richard Paiva told The Telegraph back in January, “We are always looking to be innovative in facilitating a student’s career pathway. Milford High School & Applied Technology Center has always had a long-standing relationship with our local industry partners and this just made sense. Collaborating with community stakeholders to enhance career readiness and opportunities for students in a win-win situation.”

Grace Pecci may be reached at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com.