Cape Fear Community College announced a hiring partnership this week with Sonic Systems, a firm that provides inspection and maintenance services in the nuclear technology sector.

The Wilmington-based company will hire graduates from the community college’s nuclear technology program. The new hires are guaranteed a starting wage of $26 per hour with the opportunity to transition into a position with GE Hitachi, which is also headquartered in Wilmington.

The partnership with Sonic Systems will give program graduates the opportunity to gain real-world experience while earning a competitive wage, giving them “a promising career trajectory within the nuclear industry, opening doors to even greater opportunities,” a news release announcing the partnership states.

“This partnership is a win-win for everyone involved," Jim Morton, president of CFCC, wrote in the release. “This collaboration further demonstrates our commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities within the community. Through this partnership, our nuclear technology students will gain hands-on experience and secure well-paying positions with tremendous potential for advancement."

The college’s nuclear technology program was founded in 2003 in partnership GE Hitachi. The energy company worked with the college to develop a curriculum, aiming to provide “quality training for the next generation of nuclear reactor technicians,” according to the release.

The program enrolled its first students in 2008 and offers training and lessons from GE Hitachi specialists and industry professionals.

Sonic Systems is headquartered in Wilmington and has an office in Houston. The company, which was founded in 1977, has more than 700 employees, according to its website. Its customer base includes Wilmington-headquartered GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Pennsylvania-based Westinghouse Electric Co.