ARSA on Workforce Grant Programs: Tools for Building and Re-Building Industry

WASHINGTON – ARSA Executive Vice President Christian A. Klein issued the following statement in recognition of the FAA’s posting of two notices of funding opportunity for aviation workforce grant programs. Since 2018, the association has played a key leadership role in getting the programs mandated and funded by the U.S. Congress and established by the agency.

The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants provide money to expand the pilot workforce and educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians.

Applicants from academia and the aviation community can submit applications through www.grants.gov through March 22. Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for any single grant per fiscal year.

To see ARSA’s coverage of the work to establish the grant programs and for links to relevant application resources, visit arsa.org/grant-program.

Klein said:

“The launch of the grant programs is another important step towards solving the maintenance industry’s long-standing workforce challenges. ARSA appreciates the bipartisan support the programs have received on Capitol Hill and the partnership of our many allies from across the aviation industry who helped us reach this milestone.

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in very different circumstances than when the program was conceived more than three years ago. Today, in addition to fostering collaboration between schools, businesses, unions and government to recruit and prepare the next generation for successful aviation careers as maintenance technicians, these grants will also help rebuild our workforce in the wake of unprecedented economic disruption.

“We hope ARSA members will step up, partner with others in their communities and seize the important opportunity these new programs represent.”