HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College has been awarded a $1.2 million contract for vocational training of potential assembly workers for Spirit Aerosystems. The announcement came during last night’s Board of Trustees meeting. It is thought to be the largest contract of its kind to come to HutchCC, which regularly bids on such opportunities. Steve Porter, Vice President of Workforce Development and Outreach for HutchCC, made the announcement:

 

Dave Mullins, Director of Business and Industry, says the school’s ability to react quickly and provide the necessary training was instrumental in getting the contract:

 

Mullins discussed some of the skills they will teach for the 500 workers Spirit is looking for:

 

The potential workers will come from a workforce agency in Wichita. The students will go through more than 150 contact hours of training before getting hands-on training and eventually full employment. HutchCC plans to have the workers trained and on the job in 36 to 42 months. The BOT approved the hiring of two industrial trainers to help with the program, which will also use HutchCC faculty as well. The training will be done in a yet-to-be-determined facility in Wichita.