Extension and expansion of aviation workforce development programs

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 a semicolon; and(C)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(3)a program to provide grants for eligible projects to develop and support the education of the aviation manufacturing and supplier workforce; and(4)a program to provide grants for eligible projects to plan, establish, and expand workforce development partnership programs in the aviation and aerospace industry sector.

;

(2)in subsection (b) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

In general

Out of amounts made available under section 48105 of title 49, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028—(A)not more than $20,000,000 is authorized to be expended to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(1);(B)$20,000,000 is authorized to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(2);(C)$20,000,000 to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(3); and(D)$20,000,000 to provide grants under the program established under subsection (a)(4).

;

(3)in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(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)an entity that—(i)actively designs or manufactures any aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, or a component, part, or system thereof, covered under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code; and(ii)has significant operations in the United States, and a majority of its employees engaged in aviation manufacturing or development activities and services are based in the United States; or(B)an accredited institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 10001)), or a high school or a secondary school (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) that has or is working to establish an aviation manufacturing program.(4)An application for a grant under the program established under subsection (a)(4) shall—(A)be submitted, in such form as the Secretary may specify, by a partnership that—(i)is an industry or sector partnership (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)), or is in the process of establishing an industry or sector partnership;(ii)includes an air carrier (as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code), a flight school described in paragraph (1)(C), a holder of a certificate described in paragraph (2)(A), or an aviation company described in paragraph (3)(A); (iii)is comprised of multiple employers from the aviation and aerospace industry;(iv)may include not more than 1 entity that is a previous recipient of grant funding from any program established under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), but such entity may not serve as a fiscal agent (as described in subparagraph (B)); and(v)does not include an entity that is a current recipient of grant funding from any program established under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), unless the application demonstrates that any grant funding currently received by the entity would expire or otherwise cease prior to the receipt of the grant funding under paragraph (4) of subsection (a);(B)designate a partner from within the partnership, or an intermediary which may be a State or local workforce board or an accredited institution of higher education (as such term is defined in paragraph (1)(B)), to serve as the fiscal agent for the grant; and(C)instruct the fiscal agent designated under subparagraph (B) to, as appropriate—(i)receive funds;(ii)ensure sustained fiscal integrity and accountability for expenditures of funds in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations;(iii)respond to audit financial findings;(iv)maintain proper accounting records and documentation; and(v)prepare financial reports.

; and

(4)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking pilot; and(B)by adding at the end the following:

(3)For purposes of the program established under subsection (a)(3), an eligible project is a project—(A)to establish or support educational programs that teach technical skills used in aviation manufacturing, including the production of components, parts, or systems thereof for inclusion in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance;(B)to establish scholarships, internships, or apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment in the aviation manufacturing industry;(C)to support outreach about careers in the aviation manufacturing industry to—(i)primary, secondary, and post-secondary school students; (ii)to communities underrepresented in the industry; or(iii)to students in economically disadvantaged geographic areas;(D)to support transition to careers in aviation manufacturing, including for members of the Armed Forces; or(E)to otherwise enhance aviation manufacturing technical education or the aviation manufacturing industry workforce.(4)For purposes of the program established under subsection (a)(4), an eligible project is a project—(A)to carry out planning and partner development activities, which may include—(i)convening key stakeholders as identified in the application process to establish or expand educational programs that teach technical skills used in pilot training, aviation maintenance, or aviation manufacturing;(ii)conducting outreach to local businesses and business associations, including activities to increase marketing and activity visibility within the community;(iii)conducting an evaluation of workforce needs in the local area;(iv)conducting survey and planning activities for partnership-related infrastructure needs; or(v)recruiting veterans of military service and individuals with barriers to employment;(B)to provide career services as described in section 134(c)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A));(C)to provide training services as described in section 134(c)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(D)); or(D)to provide services to support the success and retention of individuals who are participating in any training program established under subsection (a)(4).