Sheryl Rich-Kern

Employers are wary of taking a gamble on new full-time employees. But New Hampshire is making the situation less risky — for companies, at least. A state program allows them to train people part time for six weeks without having to pay them.

Some public colleges are hiring for-profit companies to recruit international students. It's a controversial strategy but with shrinking state budgets, every tuition dollar is critical. The Universities of Massachusetts and New Hampshire are working with a company called Navitas to bring in foreign students.