Kelly Ayotte visits EPTAC to spotlight New Hampshire manufacturing training

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte toured EPTAC’s new Salem training facility on Sept. 9 to highlight employer-driven workforce development for electronics manufacturing. The visit comes as the state faces a tight talent pool for technical jobs and more companies move operations into New Hampshire.

Why it matters: - New Hampshire’s manufacturing employers need more workers who can move quickly into technical roles. - EPTAC and state leaders see employer-driven training as a way to expand the talent pool and support business growth. - The visit underscored a broader workforce challenge for electronics manufacturing in New Hampshire and beyond.

What happened: - Gov. Kelly Ayotte visited EPTAC’s Salem, New Hampshire headquarters on Sept. 9, 2026. - EPTAC President and CEO Burak Gokmen and Operations Director Brenda Clunie greeted the governor. - Ayotte toured EPTAC’s new 14,000-square-foot training facility, which opened in April. - The tour focused on how hands-on training prepares people for manufacturing jobs.

The details: - EPTAC provides training in soldering and assembly, inspection, cable and wire harness assembly, rework and repair, and PCB design. - The company delivers instruction from 24 locations across North America and online. - EPTAC offers solder training, electronics manufacturing education and IPC certification programs. - The company says its programs are designed to improve product quality, increase productivity and strengthen workforce capabilities. - EPTAC has supported the electronics manufacturing industry for more than 35 years. - New Hampshire has 28 people for every 100 electronics jobs. - SynQor and Analogic both recently moved operations into New Hampshire.

Between the lines: - The governor’s visit signals state interest in employer-led training as a workforce strategy. - Gokmen said training providers, employers, community colleges and state workforce programs have an opportunity to work more closely together. - Gokmen said EPTAC can help bridge the gap between candidates and production-ready employees through focused instruction tied to standards and real-world processes. - Ayotte said New Hampshire’s growth as a hub for advanced manufacturing makes workforce skills critical for business needs.

What's next: - EPTAC is positioned to continue training workers for electronics manufacturing roles in New Hampshire and other markets. - State and industry partnerships could shape how New Hampshire fills advanced manufacturing jobs. - The company’s Salem facility gives EPTAC a larger local platform for hands-on training and employer engagement.

The bottom line: - New Hampshire is trying to grow manufacturing without outpacing its workforce, and EPTAC is pitching training as part of the solution.