June 11, 2019
NBAA applauded action by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee to support aviation workforce development programs through the Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
NBAA has been at the forefront of industry efforts to attract, retain and grow the business aviation workforce of tomorrow. The association joined earlier this year with 39 other aviation and aerospace groups in sending a letter to leaders of the U.S. Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget advocating for full funding of these key workforce development provisions. Read the full letter to transportation leaders.
Committee members approved funding for these workforce initiatives and other important aspects of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 as contained in the “T-HUD” measure. The appropriations bill is now before the full House for consideration as H.R. 3163.
The funding package approved by the committee includes $5 million in funding for the Pilot Education Program, which focuses competitive grants to enable high schools to offer ground school courses to young people, and another $5 million for the Aviation Maintenance Workforce Development Program to offer competitive grants supporting the curriculum design and career development of aircraft maintainers.
“We face a shortage of qualified personnel needed to support the continuing growth and development of a robust business aviation industry, and these vital programs will provide new opportunities for aviation career training while reducing barriers to entry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased to see these important workforce initiatives funded by the appropriations committee, and we now encourage House lawmakers to move the legislation forward.”
The bill also includes other important measures vital to the nation’s aviation industry, including nearly $241 million in funding for the FAA Aircraft Certification Service and $1.9 million in funds for development of alternative, unleaded aviation fuels for piston-engine general aviation aircraft.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.