Fischer introduces bipartisan Aviation WORKS Act

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) recently offered bipartisan legislation to bolster the nation’s aviation and aerospace workforce pipelines. 

“Today, airports and aviation partners across Nebraska are struggling to find the mechanics and technical maintenance staff they need,” Sen. Fischer said on Wednesday, noting that the bill will expand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workforce grants and “help more people access the training they need to build a strong career in aviation.”

The Aviation Workforce, Opportunity, Recruiting, Knowledge, and Supply Act, also known as the Aviation WORKS Act, S. 368, was sponsored on Feb. 9 by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) with Sen. Fischer signing on as the lead original cosponsor.

If enacted, S. 368 would amend the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to extend the existing federal aviation workforce development programs and provide grants to develop aviation manufacturing and supplier workforce, according to the text of the bill.

The legislation would quadruple funding from $5 million to $20 million for the Aviation Workforce Development Program, which currently supports competitive grants to strengthen the workforce pipeline for pilots and maintenance technicians, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Fischer’s office.

Additionally, S. 368 would establish two additional grant programs: an aviation manufacturing workforce development program to support aviation manufacturers and institutions of higher education in expanding skills training and education opportunities; and a sector-based grant program that would create partnerships between employers, labor unions, institutions of higher education, and other community stakeholders to better connect workers with training and employers, the summary says. 

“Our bipartisan legislation will invest in the training needed to tackle aviation workforce shortages while also strengthening the pipeline of Arizona talent to meet industry needs now and in the future,” said Sen. Kelly.

Sen. Fischer and Sen. Kelly originally introduced the same-named S. 5324 during the 117th Congress, but the measure stalled in the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, where S. 368 has been referred for consideration.