WSU Tech, Wichita State University and NIAR WERX launch aviation maintenance earn-and-learn program

Full-time employment and tuition reimbursement for those selected to participate in Get to WERX program

Individuals interested in becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician now have the chance to work full-time and earn a degree thanks to the new Get to WERX program through WSU Tech, Wichita State University, and WERX, a division of Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Get To WERX is a three-year earn and learn program that offers full-time, paid employment with NIAR WERX in their maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division while progressing through WSU Tech’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program and simultaneously earning credits towards the Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning at Wichita State.

“This is an extraordinary chance for individuals to enter the aviation workforce and gain practical, real-world experience while earning their degree and certifications,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President at WSU Tech. “This collaborative program sets the foundation for a scalable pipeline that will attract individuals from across the region to come to work and live in Wichita.”

NIAR WERX is based out of the former Boeing Air Force One modification facilities adjacent to McConnell Air Force Base. The NIAR WERX team implements innovative and efficient methods for the rapid development of engineering, modification, testing and certification of new aircraft and modifications/overhaul.

Get to WERX Program Details:

  • Full-time paid employment at NIAR WERX at a competitive wage with benefits
  • 9 semesters of training in aviation maintenance technology through WSU Tech
    • Successful completion of the program will earn the student the Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology
    • Eligible to sit for FAA Certification in Airframe
    • Eligible to sit for FAA Certification in Powerplant
  • Simultaneous enrollment at Wichita State University, earning credits towards the Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning at Wichita State University
  • Tuition reimbursement to be paid by NIAR WERX upon successful completion of each semester

“This program will provide an applied learning experience like no other in the nation,” said John Tomblin, WSU senior vice president of Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “Students will gain industry experience on real modification programs while under the supervision of some of the most experienced technicians and engineers in the field.”

In addition, to help attract individuals from outside of the Wichita area, the Greater Wichita Partnership is offering a $1,000 relocation reimbursement to the first 20 individuals accepted into the program who have a permanent residence 75 miles outside of Wichita, KS.

“The Partnership is excited to be a part of this collaborative workforce effort,” said Jeff Fluhr, President and CEO of the Greater Wichita Partnership. “This is an innovative way to recruit individuals from across the country to come and be a part of the growing aviation industry in the Air Capital of the World.”

Individuals accepted into the Get to WERX program will alternate working at NIAR WERX and attending classes at WSU Tech while earning Applied Learning credit at Wichita State University. The opportunity will be open to 25 to 30 individuals to begin in January. Plans for a second start in the fall are already underway.

To be considered for the program interested individuals must first complete an application on WSU Tech’s website and then interview with the Shocker Career Accelerator. All eligibility requirements and application can be found at www.WSUTECH.edu/GetToWERX.

About WERX
The WERX engineering team performs structure and subsystems design; stress, fatigue, damage tolerance; avionics, electrical, and mechanical systems; flight sciences, external loads, structural dynamics; Powerplant; and airworthiness certification. WERX has an experienced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) team consisting of 100+ maintenance technicians with over 250,000 square-foot of available hangar space.

About Wichita State
Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 16,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.

About WSU Tech
WSU Tech 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. In 2018, WSU Tech was named the 2nd fastest growing college among two-year colleges by The Chronicle of Higher Education. WSU Tech serves as managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS and is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a Kansas Board of Regents institution. For more information, visit www.WSUTECH.edu.