In an industry as complex and multi-faceted as aviation, a greater variety of perspectives can lead to significant innovations and improvements. That’s what the AIRWAYS Act aims to bring about, clearing the runway for underrepresented communities to take flight in the aviation sector.
The AIRWAYS Act has three main workforce developmental objectives. It looks to improve the preparation and representation of students interested in becoming aircraft pilots, aviation maintenance technicians, and aviation manufacturing technical workers.
The bill opens the runway to a diverse set of applicants for its grant program, including institutions of higher education, postsecondary vocational institutions, local educational agencies, flight schools, certain state or local governmental entities, and non-profit organizations involved in creating employment programs.
The grants will stand to support a variety of eligible projects designed to recruit, educate and improve representation. These projects range from initiating new educational programs that teach technical skills used by pilots, aviation maintenance, or manufacturing, to creating scholarships or registered apprenticeships for folks interested in these fields. Plus, potential recipients could create military veteran programs or target outreach strategies for communities underrepresented in aviation, including women, minorities, and individuals from economically disadvantaged and rural areas.
The Secretary of Transportation will prioritize applicants who commit to utilizing the grant resources to boost participation from historically underrepresented populations within aviation, stress on education efforts at minority-serving public institutions, and address the unique requirements of rural and regional airports. The review process for grant distribution will involve consultation with key stakeholders such as aircraft repair services, air carriers, labor organizations, educational institutions, and other relevant aviation sectors.
In the spirit of collaboration, the AIRWAYS Act empowers grant recipients to partner with institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, or any related entity to maximize the use of the grant funds.
As for the pathway to flying high? The grants don’t come small. The maximum amount of a grant awarded for an eligible project amounts to an impressive $1,000,000 per fiscal year—a sum that could genuinely facilitate a considerable boost in diversity and representation in aviation-related fields.
In terms of funding, the skies appear pretty clear. The proposal counts on Congress to appropriate as much as necessary for this program, which operates from fiscal years 2024 through 2029.
Given the bill has been read twice, it’s now resting its wings in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Here, it will be given further inspection and deliberation before it once again takes flight into the Senate’s wider arena for further consideration and approval.
Designed for clear skies, the AIRWAYS Act stands as a progressive move to expand the horizons of opportunities in aviation. The result could see a much broader range of Americans helping steer the future of the industry, all while promoting diversity and inclusion, which can only help to strengthen the aviation industry’s performance and resilience. Safe to say, the journey is just starting and will undoubtedly be one to watch in the coming years.
