Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member of the Senate Commerce committee which oversees national transportation and aviation policy, and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced they secured nearly $500,000 in federal funding to develop and implement a new aviation maintenance technician program at Thomas University in Thomasville, Georgia. The program will create a pipeline for 50 new students to fill the need of the aviation maintenance industry and help them step into high-paying jobs. Additionally, according to Thomas University, the program will specifically target students from underserved areas.

“I’ve long said that America has a worker shortage problem, particularly in aviation. But the current aviation workforce shortage is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of aviation workers—and I believe the entire education system has an important role to play in getting it done,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“That is why I am proud to deliver nearly $500,000 to bring an aviation maintenance technician workforce program to South Georgia. This program will create a pipeline for in-demand, good-paying jobs. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I look forward to continuing to secure federal dollars for Georgia’s aviation workforce during this year’s FAA reauthorization program.”

“Senator Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver this investment in aviation workforce development. We want every young person in the state who has the passion to pursue a career in aviation to have that opportunity. Aviation is essential to Georgia’s logistics, national security, and economic competitiveness,” said Senator Ossoff.

As a longtime champion for Georgia’s aviation priorities, last year Senator Warnock introduced the AIRWAYS Act to bolster aviation workforce development, as well as other legislative proposals he included in this year’s Commerce Committee-approved FAA reauthorization legislation. In April 2023, Senator Warnock met with local aviation workers and leaders at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Chamblee, Georgia to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing folks on the frontlines of the aviation industry. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included roughly $619 million for Georgia’s airports to improve efficiency, upgrade terminals, and more.