Textron Aviation has received the 2025 Excellence in Manufacturing Training Award from SME, a non-profit dedicated to accelerating widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and building North America’s talent and capabilities.
The award celebrates manufacturers that demonstrate “exceptional dedication to integrating learning and development into their business processes, ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce,” according to officials.
The award recognizes the company’s training programs and employee development initiatives, according to company officials.
The Career & Learning Center
Embedding training into daily operations and aligning development initiatives with business goals has lead the company to exemplify best practices in manufacturing workforce development, Textron Aviation officials said. A key initiative in this endeavor is the Career & Learning Center, a more than $40 million project that is part of the company’s multifaceted approach for developing its workforce.
The facility handles employees during the application, hiring, training, and ongoing career development processes.
The Career & Learning Center features a simulated manufacturing floor, preparing newly hired mechanics with hands-on experience. With up to eight weeks of training and support, this is designed to equip employees new to aviation manufacturing with the technical knowledge needed to move seamlessly into permanent roles with increased confidence and productivity, company officials explained.
Textron Aviation is actively hiring and welcomes walk-in applicants at the Career & Learning Center, where recruiters provide prospective employees with support, from resume assistance to role matching. Find out more at TxtAv.com/Careers.
Continuous Learning
The company’s paid high school and college internship programs continuously feed the talent pipeline, with many interns transitioning to full-time roles. In parallel, the company strengthens ties between industry and education by actively engaging educators through externships, classroom presentations, and facility tours, company officials said.
In 2024, Textron Aviation delivered more than 29,000 hours of professional training to more than 3,900 employees, officials added.
Textron Aviation’s mentorship program also plays a vital role in talent development, with nearly 500 employees participating in the most recent cohort. By fostering cross-functional relationships and encouraging knowledge sharing, the program enhances professional growth through both mentor-mentee and peer-to-peer connections.
For more information: TxtAv.com
