New Hampshire Honors Hypertherm
Barbara Couch of their HOPE Foundation receives the Work-Based Learning Award for helping to promote work-based learning across the state.
Posted: November 1, 2018
“We are humbled by this award because 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. 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. Its 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 Inc. (Hanover, NH) has been awarded for their excellence in work-based learning by accepting the Work-Based Learning Award in the Overall Champion category from New Hampshire Governor John Sununu, who presented the award to Barbara Couch, the president of the Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) Foundation, during a ceremony in Concord, NH. The company was selected during an evaluation process that followed its nomination by Lebanon High School.
“We are humbled by this award because 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 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.”
Judges recognized 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 the company’s unique STEM internship program for high school seniors, as well as their SHAPE for STEM initiative that 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 also presented to student champions, school advisors, teachers, and industry partners.
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