Three members of Congress, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Don Young (AK) and Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to promote career opportunities in the transportation industry.
The Promoting Service in Transportation Act (H.R. 5118) will establish a series of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) public service announcement campaigns to raise awareness about careers in transportation. $5 million in funding will be provided over the six fiscal years between 2021-2026, with $30 million allocated in total.
The campaigns will include digital and print media public service announcement campaigns to promote career opportunities for pilots, safety inspectors, mechanics and technicians, air traffic controllers (ATC), flight attendants and other road and rail professionals.
Selena Shilad - Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America - stated:
“Our country is facing a critical shortage of aviation professionals, with an estimated need of over 131,000 commercial pilots, 60,000 business aviation pilots, and 21,000 civil helicopter pilots in the coming years. For this reason it is credibly important that we foster enthusiasm in flying and ensure that the many talented, skilled workers across our country are aware of the vast opportunities that exist within the aviation industry.”
Rick Larsen - a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - added:
“As demand continues to grow, it is important all Americans are aware of the career opportunities available in the transportation sector to grow the next generation workforce. I will continue working in Congress to make sure all Americans have access to good-paying jobs and more skills training to succeed.”
Additionally, the campaign is aimed at improving the issue of diversity in the workforce - for example over 90% of professional airline pilots and truck drivers are white males. Therefore it is hoped that the campaign will help the gender, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status of the workforce in this sector to become more diverse.
On this issue, Angie Craig - a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - said:
“The transportation industry faces workforce and diversity challenges that we must address now."
The bill is supported by many professional transportation Associations including - but not limited to - the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Helicopter Association International (HAI).
