New scholarship program will pay to move people to Wichita and train them to go to work at top aviation companies.

At the National Center for Aviation Training, WSU Tech will pay tuition and fees, relocation and cost of living expenses and provide a guaranteed job interview with new “Wichita Promise Move” scholarship program.

 

Wichita Promise Move Logo

Wichita, KAN – Wichita, Kansas, named “The Air Capital of the World” is experiencing rapid growth in their aviation and manufacturing operations. WSU Tech, the largest technical college in Kansas, is being innovative in producing a trained workforce to meet their hiring needs by creating a first of its kind scholarship program titled “Wichita Promise Move”. The goal of the Wichita Promise Move is to relocate people who live at least 75 miles outside of the Wichita area to receive training and an employment opportunity at no cost to the student.

“Wichita Promise Move is designed to help break down the barriers that keep individuals from getting trained.” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President, WSU Tech.” Whether those barriers are financial, location, time or the fear of failing, we are ready to help anyone get the training they need to get a career and ultimately a better life.”

Wichita Promise Move promises to:

  • pay tuition and fees for eligible training programs at WSU Tech
  • provide certifications and credentials
  • provide personal career coaching
  • a guaranteed job interview

Among the companies offering guaranteed job interviews to Wichita Promise Move students is Textron Aviation Inc. Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands. Spirit AeroSystems, a longtime partner of WSU Tech, will also guarantee interviews to these students. Spirit AeroSystems is one of the largest suppliers for the Boeing Company.

In addition, Wichita Promise Move will assist students by

  • paying relocation expenses
  • providing housing and paying cost of living expenses while in the program
  • offering a potential sign-on bonus when hired

WSU Tech will also provide other optional assistance for these students based on need.

Eligible training programs for the Wichita Promise Move include Aviation Sheetmetal Assembly and Process Mechanic Painter. The eligible programs were selected based on the hiring needs at Wichita’s aviation companies. Both programs can be completed in just six to eight weeks.

WSU Tech has a strong track record of delivering opportunities that help students receive short-term training that lead them to a career in a high-demand technical field. In April 2016, WSU Tech launched the Wichita Promise scholarship program aimed at assisting residents in the Wichita area.

Through the Wichita Promise program, the college has already helped hundreds of students get trained and become employed at aviation and manufacturing companies in Wichita. After being awarded a $500,000 gift from the Wichita Community Foundation, the college is now prepared to expand its Wichita Promise offerings to outside of Wichita.

“We have seen the impact Wichita Promise has already made on the lives of people in our community,” said Shelly Prichard, President and CEO, Wichita Community Foundation. “They are getting trained and hired, making impressive wages for entry-level positions. We know there are others in the U.S. who can benefit from this opportunity. We want to work with WSU Tech to find those individuals. They need the economic and professional opportunity, and Wichita companies need their expertise and talent.”

Zach Meitzner, a WSU Tech and Wichita Promise student, shared his story at the announcement of the Wichita Community Foundation gift. Zach said, “I moved from Colorado when I was offered the opportunity to further my career skills at WSU Tech through the Wichita Promise scholarship program. I started eight weeks ago. I have now completed my training and last week was hired as a sheet metal mechanic at Spirit AeroSystems.”

“It is stories like Zach’s that make us confident that people will want to take advantage of the Wichita Promise Move,” Dr. Utash added.

Wichita Promise Move is limited to the first 50 students who meet the program eligibility requirements. The first opportunity to begin classes will be in September and October. Individuals who are interested in learning more or applying should visit www.WSUTECH.edu/WichitaPromiseMove.

WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College, is the state’s leader in modern technical education offering over 100 degree and certificate options in aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, criminal justice and business. WSU Tech serves as managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS. WSU Tech is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a Kansas Board of Regents institution. For more information, visit www.WSUTECH.edu.