Walton-backed airplane manufacturer Game Composites offers job interviews for UA course completion

EducationManufacturingNews BriefsNorthwest Arkansas

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) January 19, 2023 9:51 am 4,434 views 

Game Composites in Bentonville makes the GB1 Gamebird aerobatic airplane.

General aviation airplane manufacturer Game Composites in Bentonville is offering guaranteed job interviews to people who complete a course in aerospace composite manufacturing offered by the University of Arkansas Global Campus’ professional and workforce development division.

According to a UA news release, industry leaders developed the course as part of the Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project, a program that offers online job training funded by a federal grant to the UA and its partners.

Game Composites will guarantee a job interview to people who successfully complete the course and meet these requirements:

  • eligible to work in the United States unsponsored
  • seeking full-time employment
  • at least 17 years old
  • able to commute each day to the factory in Bentonville or be willing to relocate there

Tara Dryer, senior managing director of professional and workforce development, said Game Composites’ involvement in the curriculum is an example of how workforce training works best.

“This course was designed using input from industries so that we could provide the best training possible that benefits both the individual and the industry,” Dryer said in a statement. “The Reimagine federal grant requires us to create new courses that serve the local economy. By consulting with business and industry officials who tell us what skills they need their employees to have, we can offer Reimagine participants the opportunity for a better life for themselves and their families. Our industry partners make this a win-win situation.”

Game Composites COO Josh Richards said the company has 87 employees and anticipates continued strong growth. Steuart Walton and Philipp Steinbach founded the business in 2013. It has developed, tested and received FAA certification for the GB1 Gamebird aerobatic airplane and is working on the design for its next aircraft. The work done at the Bentonville facility near Thaden Field includes composite manufacturing, painting, final assembly, design, analysis and certification, and prototype and production tooling.

More details are available at this link.