Training for the New Normal: P&W Customer Training Centers Adapt to Meet Their Mission

Training for the New Normal: Pratt & Whitney Customer Training Centers Adapt to Meet Their Mission

Remote learning, phased reopening and other measures designed to deliver the highest-quality training even through a pandemic: that is how Pratt & Whitney Customer Training Centers in China, India and the U.S. meet challenging times.

“This crisis has unified the Pratt & Whitney Customer Training Centers through shared experience,” said Zonda Feulner, director of Customer Training. “The collaboration and innovation by the team has led to amazing results and really highlights what we can accomplish when we all work together.”

Instructor Alexis Vargas Martinez leads a Gas Turbine Engine class via WebEx.

Leon Wang demonstrates PW1100G-JM Engine MGB Retrofit hands-on training to two students from Qingdao Airlines.

Instructor Alexis Vargas Martinez leads a Gas Turbine Engine class via WebEx.

Leon Wang demonstrates PW1100G-JM Engine MGB Retrofit hands-on training to two students from Qingdao Airlines.

The China Customer Training Center (CCTC) reopened in early April and has since delivered three in-person GTF engine courses to members of the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation and Chinese airline Qingdao. In preparation for the courses, which focused on retrofitting the main gearbox of the GTF, the training center made sure to follow all government and company health and safety protocols. Practicing social distancing guidelines and wearing personal protective equipment, the CCTC placed students’ health and wellbeing as a top priority.

“Our airline customers, employees and their communities in China have been through a challenging time since January – yet our support continued, as demonstrated by the CCTC team. I hope others see the reopening of the CCTC as a symbol of optimism,” said Matt Stoner, vice president of Customer Support.

All three training centers offer remote training courses to employees, including theory-based engine maintenance and familiarization courses. The CTC has also tailored remote courses for employees to learn about aspects of Pratt & Whitney’s commercial engines business, such as marketing, leasing and campaign analysis.  

In addition to providing distance learning opportunities for employees, the global training team is extending engine maintenance and engineering courses to external customers, too. Courses will begin June 1 with registration opening May 20. Class schedules, like those for employees, will be flexible, with hours and topics adjusted to meet the needs of a particular group.

“This was an opportunity for us to create instructor-led courses that our employees and customers can take remotely,” said Feulner.  “As always, we’re working diligently to find the safest and most effective ways to provide training to our customers.”