Textron Aviation, WSU Tech and Wichita Public Schools began working on the Aviation Pathway in 2018. Industry leaders recognized that the urgent need for skilled employees in the aviation industry could potentially be solved by working with K-12 and post-secondary education institutions. They came together to work together on creating that solution to support workforce development and to provide students with training that would allow them to pursue jobs within their own community. Working closely with the Kansas Department of Education, the partner organizations launched the Aviation Pathway through six months of intense work, a process that usually takes 18-24 months. WPS and Derby Public Schools piloted courses from the pathway in the 2018-19 school year and implemented it as a fully approved option for the 2019-20 school year. 

As of the 2019-20 school year, the aviation pathway strands are offered at North, Northwest, Southeast and West high schools.

Although the pathway officially launched in the 2019-20 school year, early data from the pilot year shows success. For the 2018-19 classes, about 250 students enrolled in prerequisite or other technical education classes that would be part of the new pathway program. The pathway was fully adopted in fall 2019, and 310 students are enrolled. That includes students taking pathway classes at their high schools, as well as upper-class students who are enrolled in pathway-related courses at WSU Tech. 

The Aviation Pathway has several benefits for the students who participate beginning as early as their freshman year including:

• Inspiration to explore viable careers in aviation
• Access to advanced technical knowledge and training to help them rise to the top of applicant pools
• Opportunities to earn certifications and credentials such as:
  • Technical certification in Tool, Composites and Aerostructures
  • Certification of Completion in CATIA
  • Third-party/industry-recognized credentials through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
  • OSHA 10-Hour General Safety Card
• Guaranteed job interviews for students who graduate with technical certifications with companies like Textron Aviation and Spirit AeroSystems

Students at the high schools that do not have the Aviation Pathway may still take courses that will prepare them for a career in the aviation industry. All high school juniors and seniors that meet eligibility criteria have the opportunity to take classes at WSU Tech through the Excel in CTE or JumpStart program. Students should work with their counselors to determine what opportunities exist at each grade level.

In addition to providing the bold call to action to create the pathway, industry partners remain involved in connecting students to opportunities. During the 2018-19 pilot year, 100 students completed and earned their OSHA 10-Hour General Safety card. Textron Aviation generously provided financial support for the students to receive the online training and attempt this credential. In addition, they offered externships to eight district employees during the summer of 2019 so that teachers and counselors could better understand the aviation industry in practice. 

Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation both offered summer internships to students as part of the 2019 Youth Employment Program. Textron interviewed 37 students and employed 19. Spirt AeroSystems interviewed 10. 

Each pathway also has an advisory committee that meets regularly to ensure that curriculum remains relevant. At least three industry partners, as well as post-secondary institutions, are included on that committee.

You can review the announcement story shared on the WPS website in spring 2018 here. 

Additional media coverage is linked below:

• 2019 KAKE update story
• Wichita Eagle story
• KWCH story
• KMUW story
• KSN story
• AIN Online story
• AERO News Network story
• US Department of Education blog