Hypertherm Grant Program Expands to 12 Schools
Hypertherm is now accepting applications for its Spark Something Great educational grant program. This year, in response to demand and school need, Hypertherm is expanding the program to 12 schools in the U.S. and Canada. Winning schools will receive a Hypertherm Powermax45 XP plasma system, the full AWS SENSE approved Plasma Cutting Technology: Theory and Practice curriculum kit, and in-person training from a Hypertherm plasma expert.
The program, now in its fifth year, is meant to support the next generation of welders and metal fabricators by making the newest generation of plasma cutting equipment and standardized instruction available to schools. To date, the company has awarded systems to 40 schools. This year, applications are due on or before April 1 with grant decisions communicated by May 1. More information, including instructions for applying, are available at hypertherm.com/grant.
“Interest in the grant program grows every year as more and more schools struggle with falling budgets and increasing enrollment. In keeping with our commitment to provide the latest cutting technology to today’s students, we are pleased to expand the program for 2019,” said Betsy Van Duyne, who manages Hypertherm’s educational program. “The Powermax45 XP is a perfect system for schools since it gives teachers the flexibility to teach both handheld and mechanized cutting, as well as applications such as gouging, flush cutting and marking with air plasma. In addition, it ensures students are aware of the capabilities of our Powermax plasma systems.”
In addition to the grant program, Hypertherm will continue to make all 10 hours of its AWS SENSE approved Plasma Cutting Technology: Theory and Practice curriculum available for free download to teachers. The curriculum covers the plasma cutting process, common industrial uses for plasma systems, the differences between various cutting methods, safety procedures, as well as proper setup and operation. Electronic versions of each lesson, a facilitator’s guide, student workbook, and supporting reference material are all available at hypertherm.com/plasmaeducation.
To date, teachers from more than 2,000 schools have taken advantage of the free download helping standardize the teaching of plasma cutting to tens of thousands of students.
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. The 100-percent associate owned company has more than 1,400 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.
