S. 1883

Aviation Workforce Development and Recruitment Act

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II

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1883

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 8, 2023

Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Moran, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Thune, Mr. Kelly, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Warnock, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To increase funding for aviation workforce development grant programs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Aviation Workforce Development and Recruitment Act.

2.

Increasing funding for aviation workforce development grant programs

(a)

In general

Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

a program to provide grants for eligible projects to support the education and recruitment of aviation manufacturing technical workers and the development of the aviation manufacturing workforce.

;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking 2023 each place it appears and inserting 2029;

(B)

by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

(C)

by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

(2)

Additional funding

In addition to amounts available for grants pursuant to paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated—

(A)

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(1);

(B)

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(2); and

(C)

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(3).

; and

(D)

in paragraph (3), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by inserting (or, in the case of fiscal years 2024 through 2029, $1,000,000) after $500,000;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting , a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), after (20 U.S.C. 1001));

(B)

in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting , a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), after (20 U.S.C. 1001)); and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

An application for a grant under the program established under subsection (a)(3) shall be submitted, in such form as the Secretary may specify, by—

(A)

a holder of a type or production certificate or similar authorization issued under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, or a credible applicant for such a certificate as determined by the Secretary;

(B)

an accredited institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), or a high school or secondary school (as defined in section 7801 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801); and

(C)

a State or local governmental entity.

;

(4)

by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

(d)

Eligible projects

For purposes of a program established under subsection (a), an eligible project is a project—

(1)

to create and deliver a program designed to provide students with meaningful aviation education that is designed to prepare the students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection (a));

(2)

to support the professional development of teachers and other educators implementing a program described in paragraph (1);

(3)

to establish new educational programs that teach technical skills used by aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection (a)), including purchasing equipment, or to improve existing such programs;

(4)

to establish scholarships or registered apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment as aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection (a));

(5)

to support outreach about careers as aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection (a)) to—

(A)

primary, secondary, and post-secondary school students; or

(B)

communities underrepresented in the applicable industry;

(6)

to support educational opportunities in both urban and rural areas;

(7)

to support transition to careers as aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aviation maintenance technical workers, or aviation manufacturing technical workers (as applicable to the relevant program described in subsection (a)), including for veterans and members of the Armed Forces; or

(8)

to otherwise enhance or expand the aircraft pilot, aerospace engineer, unmanned aircraft system operator workforces, aviation maintenance technical worker, or aviation manufacturing technical worker workforces.

;

(5)

in subsection (e)

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

by inserting aviation manufacturers, after repair stations, and

(ii)

by striking and at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

give priority to applicants who partner with, or establish links between, secondary schools and post-secondary schools and who work collaboratively or participate in industry or sector partnerships.

; and

(6)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)

Consultation with the Secretary of Education

The Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Education in—

(1)

developing the design of the grant application under this section;

(2)

reviewing and selecting applications for grants for eligible projects under this section; and

(3)

establishing considerations regarding program quality and measurement of student outcomes.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Paragraph (4) of section 48105 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 2023 and inserting 2029.

(c)

National strategic plan for aviation workforce development

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable and in consultation with other Federal agencies and private individuals, establish a national strategic plan for addressing projected shortages of aviation workers in the aviation industry, including—

(A)

any short-term, medium-term, and long-term needs critical to the economy, national security, workforce readiness, environmental concerns, and priorities of the United States aviation sector, such as emergency readiness and resilience; and

(B)

any situation or condition that warrants special attention by the Federal Government.

(2)

Requirements

The national strategic plan established under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

take into account the activities and accomplishments of all agencies in the executive branch of the Federal Government that are related to carrying out such national strategic plan; and

(B)

include recommendations for legislation, regulations, and budget proposals to carry out such national strategic plan.