Dozens of aerospace representatives attended the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s quarterly meeting of the Aerospace Council on Friday at Spirit AeroSystems.

Dr. Matt Litterell, Tulsa Tech director of business and industry services, and Mike Rothlein, head of talent at NORDAM, gauged employers’ interest in the Manufacturing Production Specialist Training Program.

A proposed partnership that would involve Tulsa Tech, the Chamber and local employers, the program would serve to address lingering labor concerns such as the talent shortage. It also would provide training and employee rewards that incentivize retention and internal promotion.

Friday’s Council meeting also included Discovery Lab’s Lynnsey Childress, who talked about a new aerospace exhibit at the children’s museum.

Following the meeting, Spirit AeroSystems' Jeff Black (gesturing in photo) led attendees on a tour of Spirit’s 2-million-square-foot aerospace design and manufacturing plant.

The Chamber launched the Aerospace Council in 2020 to provide a forum to share best practices within the aerospace and defense industry and to provide networking opportunities for industry professionals.