Orman backs guaranteed loans for training programs

Independent Senate candidate Greg Orman toured Wichita Area Technical College’s aviation center on Thursday and said he wants to make it possible for students to get guaranteed loans for short-term training programs that lead directly to jobs.

While touring the school’s welding shop, WATC executive director Randy Roebuck told Orman that only students enrolled in two-year degree programs at the school can qualify for the federally backed loans.

Orman said workforce development is the major issue in improving Sedgwick County’s economy.

In technical education, “we should be focused on outcomes, not necessarily arbitrary factors such as the length of the programs, in determining what programs are acceptable for guaranteed student loans,” Orman said. “With jobs placement rates in the mid-90 percent range and starting salaries of $30,000 plus, they (certification programs) should qualify.”

He said he understands the challenges facing technical education because of trouble he had getting trained workers when he owned a specialty machine shop that made aircraft and other parts.

“We would have been a lot more profitable if we’d had better access to machinists,” Orman said. He said most of the ones he did have were aging out of the workforce, and there weren’t enough younger workers to replace them or expand the company.

In a speech to about 50 students and supporters, Orman called the WATC and the associated National Center for Aviation Training “a tremendous asset and one that we need to continue to support.”

“The technical college is trying to put people to work here in Sedgwick County, trying to take young adults and giving them the skills that they need to be able to work in very good jobs in the aviation industry and really build on the aviation cluster that we have here in Wichita,” he said.

He also addressed the frequent negative advertising that his opponent, Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, and his supporters have been running.

“If you don’t believe we’re the No. 1 threat to the status quo, look at all the attack ads they’re running,” he said. “And you’ll realize one thing: They’re not attacking me, they’re attacking you. They’re attacking every Kansan who says we have to get back to work. They’re attacking every Kansan who says the status quo is not acceptable.”

This story was originally published October 30, 2014 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Orman backs guaranteed loans for training programs."