CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced the start of an advanced manufacturing training program, which will provide 150 displaced workers with an accelerated apprenticeship program and guaranteed jobs in two New Hampshire-based advanced manufacturing companies.

The STAR (Skills Through Apprenticeship and Retraining) program is being founded through a $1.8 million grant awarded to the state from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Providing advanced training for our workers is one of the best investments we can make in our economy. This program will get displaced workers the skills they need to get good jobs at two of New Hampshire’s advanced manufacturing leaders,” Gov. Lynch said. “We have made offering additional job training to our workers a priority and this new program will enhance our continuing efforts.”

The program offers workers an accelerated, two-year advanced manufacturing apprenticeship while being employed Hypertherm, Inc., of Hanover, or Timken, Inc. of Lebanon. At the same time, these workers will earn college credits from River Valley Community College on Claremont, which can be applied towards an associate’s degree.

The workers will also have the opportunity to receive three additional nationally recognized industry certifications.

“River Valley Community College is committed to the creation of education and training that serve the needs of employers, the New Hampshire workforce and the economic development needs of the state and our region. This partnership represents a strategy that builds upon the strengths of the college, our state economic development agencies and the private sector in delivering a truly comprehensive program leading to job placement,” said Steve Budd, President, River Valley Community College.

The program is open to workers from New Hampshire and Vermont.

“We are fortunate to have the challenge of expanding our workforce needs to meet growing demand for our products. How well we meet this challenge will be determined by how well we can hire and educate a trained workforce,” said Jim Miller, Hypertherm’s Business Team Leader for the Mechanized Torch and Consumables Division. “New Hampshire’s desire and commitment to recruit and educate CNC machine operators meets a critical need of the Upper Valley business community.”

“Timken Aerospace is experiencing tremendous long-term business growth opportunities,” said Shaun Branon, Manager of Organizational Advancement for Timken Aerospace. “This program will allow both New Hampshire and Vermont dislocated workers access not only to advanced manufacturing jobs, but also to the benefits of world class education and mentoring during a two year apprenticeship.”

“STAR will offer dislocated workers in the North Country and the Upper Valley, as well as other areas of the State, an opportunity for a good job, a good education and national certification in advanced manufacturing,” said Dick Anagnost, Chairman of the Workforce Opportunity Council.

“Having skilled and trained workers is very often the determining factor between business success and business failure,” said New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. “This innovative program not only provides dislocated workers with the training they need to develop a solid career track, it also adds to the productivity of the companies who are taking advantage of this great initiative.”

The Workforce Opportunity Council, in partnership with Hypertherm, Timken, River Valley Community College of Claremont and VT HITECH, Inc., of Williston, Vt., developed and submitted the grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Labor.