§ 40132 — National Strategic Plan For Aviation Workforce Development

(a) Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in consultation with other Federal agencies and the Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment Readiness Council (in this section referred to as the “CAREER Council”) established in subsection (c), establish and maintain a national strategic plan to improve recruitment, hiring, and retention and address projected challenges in the civil aviation workforce, including— (1) any short-term, medium-term, and long-term workforce challenges relevant to the economy, workforce readiness, and priorities of the United States aviation sector; (2) any existing or projected workforce shortages; and (3) any workforce situation or condition that warrants special attention by the Federal Government. (b) The national strategic plan described in subsection (a) shall— (1) take into account the activities and accomplishments of all Federal agencies that are related to carrying out such plan; (2) include recommendations for carrying out such plan; and (3) project and identify, on an annual basis, aviation workforce challenges, including any applicable workforce shortages. (1) Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall establish a council comprised of individuals with expertise in the civil aviation industry to— (A) assist with developing and maintaining the national strategic plan described in subsection (a); and (B) provide advice to the Secretary, as appropriate, relating to the CAREER Program established under section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, including as such advice relates to program administration and grant application selection, and support the development of performance metrics regarding the quality and outcomes of the Program. (2) The CAREER Council shall be appointed by the Secretary from candidates nominated by national associations representing various sectors of the aviation industry, including— (A) commercial aviation; (B) general aviation; (C) aviation labor organizations, including collective bargaining representatives of Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety engineers, and air traffic controllers; (D) aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul; (E) aviation manufacturers; and (F) unmanned aviation. (3) Each council member appointed by the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall serve a term of 2 years. (d) The Secretary may not delegate any of the authorities or responsibilities under this section to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.