Textron Aviation Raises the Bar for Workforce Development With State-of-the-Art Career & Learning Center

Business Wire

23-04-2025

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Textron Aviation Inc. a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced its 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.
'The Textron Aviation Career & Learning Center is an important investment in building the next generation of aviation manufacturing, support and professional talent,' said Ron Draper, president and CEO. 'Recruiting, hiring and training a world-class workforce is vital to our ability to provide the best aviation experience for our customers.'
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.
'We are passionate about creating environments where future and current employees can be inspired and thrive,' said Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications. '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.'
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.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com
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