Thanks to special funds donated by District 1 Councilman, Brandon Johnson, and District 3 Councilman, James Clendenin, WSU Tech has been able to increase their offerings of the Wichita Promise scholarship to more students in their districts. Wichita Promise is designed to increase Wichita’s skilled workforce by removing barriers that keep individuals from getting trained. It’s a scholarship program that pays tuition and fees for specific high wage, high demand jobs, provides training, credentials, certifications, personal career coaching by WSU Tech’s Career Services department.
Below are just a few student stories about how this scholarship helped to change the trajectory of their lives.
“I picked sheetmetal because it was the shortest course and it made it quicker to get a job.”
Chuong had been working in customer service for a while but he really enjoyed doing stuff with his hands, like working on his car. He knew that his income would cap out soon without pursuing some type of training. He heard about the Wichita Promise scholarship on the news and on social media. “I picked sheetmetal because it was the shortest course and it made it quicker to get a job.” After 6 weeks of training, Chuong is now working at Spirit AeroSystems as an Assembly Mechanic and has big plans for his future. “Originally, I thought I would come back and do CNC Machining training, then become an A & P. Now I think I will do that and then go to Wichita State to get an engineering degree.”
Lydia Craig – District 1
Program: Composites Fabrication
Started Jan. 11th at Spirit AeroSystems as a Composites Mechanic
“Wow, what a difference my life is right now… I got out of the corporate world and I do things with my hands. I don’t have to sell anymore!”
When Lydia’s mother became ill with cancer she made the decision to quit her job to take care of her. Sadly, Lydia’s mother passed away and she was faced with the decision of what to do next. She had previously been working in sales and office work but was wanting something else. When her daughter told her about the Wichita Promise scholarship she realized that “this is an opportunity for me to do something different”. Lydia came to the National Center for Aviation Training to tour the campus and learn more about the composite fabrication program. “I just fell in love with it,” Lydia said when she recounts that day. After just one semester, she is now working at Spirit AeroSystems as a Composites Mechanic working on reverse thrusters for 737s. “Wow, what a difference my life is right now… I got out of the corporate world and I do things with my hands. I don’t have to sell anymore!”
Gilberto Portillo – District 3
Program: Composites Fabrication
Starts Feb. 18 at Textron Aviation as a Bond Technician
“I had no idea about this, I was super surprised!”
Gilberto took his first class with WSU Tech, then WATC, when he was still in high school through the JumpStart program. This program offered a chance to take technical courses for free while he was still working towards his high school diploma. This is where he was first exposed to the world of aerospace manufacturing. After he graduated, he received a letter about this new scholarship program that WSU Tech was offering titled Wichita Promise. “ I had no idea about this, I was super surprised!” Gilberto said when learning about the tuition-free training opportunity. When asked why he chose the Composites program he said: “I like being able to work with airplane parts and build them out of stuff like carbon fiber”. Once Gilberto completed his training he interviewed on campus with Textron Aviation and said he really liked the people and they liked him. After a second interview, he now has a job at Textron Aviation as a Bond Technician
Are you an individual in District 1 or District 3 and are ready to take the next step toward a new career. Scholarships are still available!
To see eligibility requirements or to apply, visit WSUTECH.edu/WichitaPromise.
Would you like to help us get the word out about this opportunity? Download these printable flyers to share with others who could benefit from this opportunity:
District 1 Wichita Promise Flyer
District 3 Wichita Promise Flyer
