Textron Aviation unveils new Hiring and Learning Center

Textron Aviation new Hiring and Training center

Textron Aviation announces the next phase in its commitment to workforce development and the expansion of its Hiring and Learning Center. The center is designed to supply skills development and training needs of its current and future workforce. The more than 100,000sqft facility will be located on Textron Aviation’s East Wichita Campus and serve as the centralised hub for the company’s hiring, training and talent development initiatives.

“Our commitment to investing in our employees is unwavering, and the establishment of the Hiring and Learning Center is just the latest example of how we are advancing our focus on growing a world-class workforce,” said Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications. “Centralising our workforce development within this advanced facility is a success multiplier. It will not only equip our team with paid job training to achieve their full potential but also shape the future of Textron Aviation.”

Textron Aviation’s Hiring and Learning Center will bring together programmes focused on skill development, job and technical training and hiring activities that are currently dispersed across multiple buildings and campuses into a single facility with an expanded footprint. As part of the company’s efforts to set employees up for success right from the start and support them throughout their careers, the facility will house specialty training settings and classes, and participating employees will be paid while completing the courses.

The facility will include a paint lab, sheet metal training, flight control rigging and blueprint reading and interpretation. Additionally, a new K-12 experiential space, multiple classrooms, learning labs and interviewing and onboarding spaces will be located onsite.

In recognition and support of this initiative, the State of Kansas recently awarded Textron Aviation $3.33m as part of the Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funded Training (ALOFT) grant. The funds will be focused on the construction of the facility, which is already underway. SPT Architecture, Conco Construction and Professional Engineering Consultants are teaming up on the project, which is expected to be completed by August 2024.

Textron Aviation’s recruitment strategy includes: K-12 initiatives, paid high school and college internships, externships for educators, returnships for experienced professionals re-entering the workforce, military recruitment, and university relationships, including support of technical education institutions and programmes. To upskill its existing workforce, Textron Aviation offers multiple earn-and-learn programmes that provide structured on-the-job training to build skills and advance careers.

The company remains focused on its long-term strategic workforce plan and continues hiring for professional and skilled positions across its global facilities. Based on growth and attrition, Textron Aviation plans to recruit more than 2,000 employees in 2023. Textron Aviation employees have opportunities to try new fields, learn new skills and knowledge, stretch their abilities and build a career, according to the manufacturer.