FAA Workforce Grant Programs Re-Starting
The FAA's long-stalled Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program is poised to re-start following a mandatory review and related changes, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told lawmakers during a Dec. 15 hearing.
"We did go through that [review] as I understand it, and are now getting the NOFOs out with the intention to fund them as quickly as possible," Bedford told Sen. Rick Larsen (D-WA) during a House aviation subcommittee hearing on the state of U.S. Aviation. "This is an area where we're a little tardy. We need to pick up our tempo on how to get these NOFOs out and funded."
The Trump Administration paused the grant process at the beginning of 2025 as part of a broader effort to review diversity, equity and inclusion language in government programs. The move came after the FAA issue notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) and applications for fiscal year 2025 grants (https://www.atec-amt.org/news/faa-accepting-applications-for-the-fourth-round-of-aviation-workforce-development-grants)--the fourth round of grants that support maintenance technician and pilot development programs. The program has been idle since.
Lawmakers have pressed the FAA to re-start the grant program, citing the shortage of qualified mechanics as one pain point. A group of more than 20 lawmakers wrote a letter in late November pressing Bedford for an update by mid-December https://www.atec-amt.org/news/congress-presses-faa-to-act-on-delayed-workforce-grants).
Larsen, one of the lawmakers who signed the letter, lauded the program during the hearing, noting that repair stations in his district have benefited from it. Bedford addressed a number of issues, including air traffic control modernization and closing the air traffic controller staffing gap. He took the opportunity to highlight workforce pipeline initiatives as one of his key priorities as administrator. "I think we need to challenge our aviation partners, our commercial airlines, to be more focused on workforce development," he said.
ATEC is monitoring the grant programs and will continue to provide members with key updates.
Watch the Hearing here.