For the seventh time in the past five years, the company is underwriting a fuel cell technology certificate program at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

The full-time, semester-long program, which will run from Jan. 19 to May 22, will give 12 students a chance to learn the basics of fuel cell technology while FuelCell picks up the cost of tuition, student fees and textbooks.

Students who complete the program will have a chance to interview for jobs at FuelCell's Torrington facility.

Since the program was launched in 2001, more than 65 students have earned certificates, and several have been hired by the company, an NVCC spokeswoman said.

Workers who have been laid off from other jobs can continue collecting unemployment compensation while taking the curriculum because it is approved by the state Department of Labor as a retesting program.

Applications are now being accepted. Individuals interested in the program must either be NVCC students or students who have applied to the college and are willing to take a math placement test and go through an interview process. Applicants need not have manufacturing experience.

Fuel cells convert fuels such as natural gas into electricity and operate like large batteries, but run more efficiently than conventional power plants and without combustion, so the primary byproducts are water and heat. Though market adoption of the technology has been slower than expected, many in the industry believe the units will offer an alternative to conventional power production once they reach mass production.

FuelCell's power plants are being developed to run hospitals, schools, hotels and other large facilities. Other companies, however, are developing fuel cells to power smaller buildings and even cars.