Cessna and Quick Start have had a relationship since the 1980s when Quick Start began working with the aircraft industry in Columbus. Bob Jones, president of Columbus Technical College, so impressed the Cessna directors with Quick Start's offerings on a recent visit to Kansas that the group decided it was time to make a personal visit and learn more about the successful training program and how it is administered.

After a briefing by Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, economic development programs, who also leads Quick Start, the group took a tour of Quick Start's offices and was introduced to several of the staff responsible for implementing training. DTAE Commissioner Ken Breeden was also on hand for discussion, along with Jones and several Quick Start project directors.

Accompanying Johnson from Cessna were Executive Vice President John Moore; Director of Human Resource Development Fred Bright; Project Manager Terry Shortt; Vice President, Airplane Completion, Craig Estep; and Steve Jack, who is director of employment and training for the Kansas Department of Human Resources.

Quick Start has had three training programs with Cessna's Georgia plant in the past few years. These have included pre-hire classes as well as post-hire training in manufacturing, safety, team skills, shop math, blueprint reading, sheet metal assembly, and precision measurement. Approximately 100 new employees have been trained during each expansion.

"Quick Start is a model training organization for the nation and had a major impact on our decision to expand our operations in Georgia," said Johnson during closing remarks on his recent visit. "Quick Start's leadership role in economic development in this state is clearly evident and something that every state should be looking to for guidance and inspiration."

Johnson went on to say that he was impressed by what he described as "state-of-the-art" training facilities and programs. He described his company's experience as a client at the Columbus facility as "outstanding."

Cessna, which employs approximately 12,000 people, mostly at its Kansas facilities, is the leading producer of light-and medium-size corporate jets. It also manufactures single engine and utility-turboprop aircraft. Formed in 1927, Cessna Aircraft Co. has been a world leader in design and manufacturing of midsize aircraft. Included in its line of business jets are the newly introduced Citation CJ1, Citation CJ2, Ultra Encore, and Sovereign. These jets join the much respected jets, Bravo, Excel, Citation VII, and Citation X, the world's fastest business jet.

Cessna Aircraft is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., an $11.6 billion, global, multi-industry company. QS