Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would direct the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to create a federal grant program to increase racial and gender minority access and representation in the aviation workforce.
The Aviation Minority Workforce Development Act would facilitate the creation of and support for existing aviation programs at recognized Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). It would facilitate creating and supporting existing aviation programs at non-MSIs to increase racial and gender minority access in the aviation sector.
Minority Serving Institutions include Alaska Native-serving institutions or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges, Native American-serving nontribal institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, and Tribal Colleges or Universities.
“Our aviation workforce must have individuals from all backgrounds, races, and genders,” U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), who introduced the bill, said. “My bill will empower Minority Serving Institutions to develop the next generation of aviation pioneers to reflect the diversity across our country. We must uplift students of every gender and race so that their aviation career can take off, including by supporting MSIs for the skies.”
According to a 2022 report, the Federal Aviation Administration is behind in providing job opportunities to minorities.