No Experience? Manufacturing Jobs in NH Are Available

With unemployment in New Hampshire at 2.6 percent, businesses are offering better benefits and more opportunity for training and advancement to entice top candidates to apply. Now ten years after the start of the Great Recession, people seeking jobs in NH have the advantage and can be selective about the company they choose to work for, as well as command better pay and more generous benefits.

Because of a number of factors, including an aging population, NH is facing a labor shortage. According to NH Employment Security, jobs in NH are paying better, including manufacturing. Entry-level manufacturing jobs have a starting pay of $14.50. The statewide average wage for an entry-level manufacturing job is $18.48. This includes employees that have been on the job for some time. That wage jumps to $44.68 for highly experienced employees. The pay is even higher for manufacturing in the technical and scientific products sector, which has an average entry-level wage of $25 an hour and an average wage of $63 an hour for those with experience.

The worker shortage has been an issue for a few years now, with unemployment in NH holding below 3 percent for more than 30 consecutive months. Because of the long-term shortage of workers, businesses around the state have become more creative in hopes of attracting not only talented people but developing workers who can hold jobs in NH for many years to come.

For example, here at Hitchiner Manufacturing, we invested in an employee education program. After six months of employment, employees may be eligible for tuition assistance, up to 100 percent of the cost of the course, dependent on the grade received. We not only help with tuition but also offer 100 percent reimbursement on books and fees when you receive a grade of at least a "C" for undergraduate courses and "B" for graduate courses.

Here are some other benefits we offer to employees here at Hitchiner Manufacturing:

Health Insurance

Medical insurance coverage becomes available the first day of the month following your employment at Hitchiner.

Dental Insurance

Coverage becomes available the first day of the month following your employment at Hitchiner. Preventative and diagnostic services are covered at 100 percent, basic restorative at 80 percent, and major restorative services at 50 percent after a 12 month waiting period. 

Life Insurance

The company provides coverage at no cost to employees and includes Basic Group Life Insurance in the amount of $10,000 as well as Accidental Death and Dismemberment in the amount of $10,000. We also offer the opportunity to purchase additional coverage for employees and their dependents.

Vacations and Holidays

Employees who have been with the company for fewer than five years receive 20 paid days off a year -- 10 vacation days and 10 holidays.

401k Retirement Savings Plan

Employees at Hitchiner are eligible to join the 401k savings plan after three months. Hitchiner matches employee contributions at a rate of 100% of the first 3%, and 50% of the next 3% and employees are always 100 percent vested.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Hitchiner offers FSA Accounts for Health Care up to $3,500 per calendar year and HSA Dependent Care expenses up to $5,000 per calendar year.

Hitchiner also offers discounted home and auto insurance, a legal assistance plan and direct deposit.

Low unemployment, low population growth and declines in the number of NH residents participating in the labor force as all factors contributing to NH's labor shortage. While companies are continuing to offer better wages and benefits, people seeking jobs in NH will certainly benefit from this economic climate.

Career Opportunities At Hitchiner Manufacturing

Hitchiner employees are our most valuable asset, and full-time careers are available now in New Hampshire. Hitchiner is a leader in workforce development, placing a high value on education and will invest in your success by providing tuition assistance. View our benefits and learn why 60% of our employees have stayed with Hitchiner for over ten years.