Workforce Development, Sedgwick County, Kansas

Sedgwick County > Community Development > Workforce Development

Overview

Sedgwick County Technical Education & Training Authority:

The Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners formed the Sedgwick County Technical Education & Training Authority (SCTE&TA) to provide coordination, leadership and support that contributes to a strong technical education program for our community. SCTE&TA helps to assure that training programs are designed to meet the changing needs of employers, learners and families in our region.

SCTE&TA is charged to oversee all technical education, including the Wichita Area Technical College. There are three priority areas to address in meeting technical education and training needs in Sedgwick County and the region:

Creating a world-class facility and delivery system
Establishing a one-stop solution for customized training
Demand-data gathering on industry trends and needs

The SCTE&TA Board consists of representatives from aviation, manufacturing, general business, healthcare, information technology and government. Representation from these areas will continue to emphasize the “business-driven” model of technical training.

Visioneering Wichita, comprised of more than 16,000 regional citizens, identified the need for a skilled and available workforce to be a top strategic community priority:

“Provide technical education to ensure a skilled workforce and competitive skills training for companies adding or relocating jobs.”

Critical Skilled Worker Need

For nearly 100 years, several major aviation companies have called Wichita home, making the area known as the Air Capital of the World. Wichita also offers the largest aviation supplier base in the world, with aviation suppliers supporting both commercial and general aviation production.

The aviation industry continues to power the Wichita region’s economy, exporting products world-wide, generating new wealth, and creating additional jobs in the area. Currently, there are 36,500 aerospace manufacturing jobs in Kansas. But 27% of the aviation manufacturing workforce is eligible for retirement in 2008, and 40% over the next five years.

In order for Kansas’ aviation industry to remain globally competitive, it is imperative that the community provides a skilled and accessible workforce. Aviation companies need at least 5,000 skilled workers and an additional 1,000 trained workers each year for the next 10 years.

National Center for Aviation Training

Center for Aviation Training

To meet the aviation manufacturing workforce demand, Sedgwick County is building the National Center for Aviation Training. This world-class training facility will provide students the opportunity to receive hands-on, real-world training in the areas of general aviation manufacturing and aircraft and power plant mechanics. The Center will consist of three buildings: Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (80,948 sq. ft.), the Aviation Service Center (96,243 sq. ft.) and an Assessment and Administration Center (30,435 sq. ft.) for admissions, student services and employment placement. To meet the critical shortage of skilled aviation workers, program development will include:

Aerostructures Technician
Manufacturing Certificate
Avionics
Robotics
Composites Manufacturing
Interiors Installation
Non-Destructive Testing
Aircraft Completion and more

The Wichita Area Technical College will serve as the managing partner for the Center, partnering with Wichita State University and its National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), for some of the training and to teach and provide business-approved instruction.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the National Center for Aviation Training

Sedgwick County Commissioners, Representative Todd Tiahrt and Senator Sam Brownback helped break ground for the new training center on March 17, 2008. Additionally, Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners, Wichita City Mayor Carl Brewer and other City Council members were present, and Mark Werthman from the Economic Development Administration and County Manager Bill Buchanan also turned over ceremonial dirt.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Video March 17, 2008 32 min 52 sec

“Aviation is important to our community, our region, Kansas and the nation. We know that the aviation industry continues to power our economies ... but we also know that the aviation industry faces a significant challenge. Nearly 40% of the workforce is eligible for retirement and an additional 15,000 workers will be needed over the next 10 years.” Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Tom Winters stated during the ceremony.

Kansas Aviation – the envy of the world

Research

The state of Kansas has a world-wide reputation as an aviation cluster for research.

70% of all FAA Composites Research is conducted at Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR)
NIAR supports research and support in the areas of Composites and Advanced Materials, Full-Scale Structural Testing, Aging Aircraft, Crash Dynamics, CAD/CAM, Advanced Joining and Aerodynamics
NIAR was named an FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and a NASA National Center for Advanced Materials Performance, and a NASA Center of Excellence for Aging Aircraft.
Every state dollar invested in aviation research generates $11.60 in federal and industry investments

Manufacturing

Kansas leads the world in aviation manufacturing with Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna Aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems. More than 70% of the world’s embedded fleet was manufactured in Kansas, and 50% of general aviation is manufactured in Kansas. And, aviation manufacturing is the #1 net export in the United States. The aviation industry contributes significantly to the Kansas economy with even greater growth potential as the industry grows. We must continue to help our region’s and state’s aviation cluster compete in a global economic environment.