The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has praised Senators Inhofe (R-OK), Blumenthal (D-CT), Moran (R-KS) and Cantwell (D-WA) for introducing the “Aviation Maintenance Workforce Development Pilot Program,” which would help address the aviation industry’s looming technical worker shortage.

“Your legislation would incentivize businesses, labor organizations, schools, and governmental entities to work together to pursue innovative new strategies to develop technical talent and encourage workers to pursue aviation careers,” GAMA and 16 other aviation organizations wrote in a letter of support they sent to the Senators on March 5.

“Given the scale of the challenge facing companies in Oklahoma, Connecticut, Kansas, Washington, and elsewhere around the country, your proposal could not be timelier.”

The groups also highlighted in the letter the staggering figures recent studies show, including that North America will need 118,000 new technicians over the next two decades, demand for aviation maintenance technicians will outstrip supply by 2022 and new entrants comprise just two percent of the aviation technician population annually, while 30 percent of the workforce is at or near retirement age.

“Your legislation will help ensure our member organizations have the technical professionals they need to grow, compete globally, and, most importantly, continue to ensure the safety of civil aviation aircraft,” the groups conclude.