Hypertherm Associates invites North American schools to apply for Spark Something Great education grant

Hypertherm Associates, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, is now accepting applications for its Spark Something Great educational grant program. The program will provide 12 North American schools with a Powermax45 SYNC air plasma system and in-person training from a Hypertherm product expert.

The Spark Something Great grant reinforces Hypertherm Asscoiate’s commitment to educators and schools responsible for developing the skilled metal workers of tomorrow. This grant ensures the next generation of metalworking professionals is familiar with one of the most efficient technologies for plasma cutting and gouging.

To date, the company has awarded systems to more than 120 schools, and it'll once again award 12 schools in the United States and Canada with the equipment and training needed to instruct new metal fabricators. The submission deadline is April 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

“North America faces a skills gap, and vocational programs and schools are vital to overcoming it,” says Hypertherm Associates director, regional marketing & revenue operations, Stephen Bruner. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen many programs in which dozens of students share a single system. We established this grant program to help educators prepare their students with direct access to the technologies they will use in the workforce.”

Jeff Sockwell, a previous grantee and agriculture science teacher, had nothing but praise for the system. “I think the Powermax SYNC is probably one of the best choices we made,” he says. “I would recommend it to anybody in the world.”

Public and not-for-profit institutions, including junior high school, high school, secondary, post-secondary technical, vocational schools, colleges, and universities located in the U.S. or Canada that offer welding or metal fabrication are invited to apply. For more information and to apply, qualifying public and not-for-profit institutions can visit www.hypertherm.com/grant.