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), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)An application for a grant under the pilot 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)) 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.

; and

(4)in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)For purposes of the pilot program established under subsection (a)(3), an eligible project is a project— (A)to establish new educational programs that teach technical skills used in aviation manufacturing, including purchasing equipment, or to improve existing such programs;(B)to establish scholarships 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; or(ii)to communities underrepresented in the industry;(D)to support educational opportunities related to aviation manufacturing in both urban and rural areas;(E)to support transition to careers in aviation manufacturing, including for members of the Armed Forces; or(F)to otherwise enhance aviation manufacturing technical education or the aviation maintenance industry workforce.

(b)

Conforming amendment

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