Textron Aviation raises the bar for workforce development with career & learning center

Textron Aviation  new Career & Learning Center is complete and fully operational serving prospective, current and future Textron Aviation employees. Strategically located on the company’s East Wichita Campus, this state-of-the-art facility expands the training footprint to more than 75,000 square feet and provides a world-class employee experience during the application, hiring, onboarding and training processes.

Ron Draper, president and CEO commented: “The Textron Aviation Career & Learning Center is an important investment in building the next generation of aviation manufacturing, support and professional talent. Recruiting, hiring and training a world-class workforce is vital to our ability to provide the best aviation experience for our customers.”

Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications stated: “We are passionate about creating environments where future and current employees can be inspired and thrive. The Career & Learning Center is equipped with the latest technology to provide realistic environments for training scenarios that mimic the reality of our manufacturing operations, setting our employees up for success from day one.”

The Career & Learning Center is divided into four different zones to support applicants and employees in their hiring and training journeys.

Career zone

Textron Aviation is actively hiring and welcomes walk-in applicants at the Career & Learning Center Career Zone lobby. Dedicated recruiters provide prospective employees with personalized support at every step, from resume assistance to role matching and job applications. Public operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Pre-employment zone

Pre-employment processes are housed onsite for a one-stop location for new employees to conveniently complete onboarding, WorkKeys testing and new hire training.

Learning zone

Professional and technical training rooms are fully equipped to develop employees’ skills. In addition to classroom learning, the west bay hangar features a simulated manufacturing floor, preparing newly hired mechanics with unparalleled hands-on experience. With eight weeks of training and support, this industry-leading model is designed to equip employees new to aviation manufacturing with the technical knowledge needed to move seamlessly into permanent roles with increased confidence and productivity.

Design. build. fly. zone

The dedicated K-12 space, intended to develop early interest in aviation as a career, accommodates age-appropriate, hands-on activities to engage students and educators alike, sparking curiosity and passion for the aviation industry. Students can explore the joy of flying by interacting with an iconic Cessna Skyhawk 172 simulator, the world’s leading trainer aircraft.

This more than $40 million project is part of Textron Aviation’s multifaceted approach for developing the company’s world-class workforce, by focusing on ongoing skill development, certification and talent development activities. In recognition of the importance of aviation to the state, Kansas awarded Textron Aviation $3,325,000 for a portion of the facility construction as part of the Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funded Training (ALOFT) grant. The project was supported by Wichita-based vendors and contractors, including SPT Architecture, Conco Construction and Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC).

Applicants are encouraged to join the Textron Aviation team by exploring current job openings at txtav.com/careers or visiting the Career & Learning Center at Suite 400, 293 S. Greenwich Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67206.