ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Visits Gulfstream, Savannah Tech to Uplift Historic Investments in Aviation Workforce Development, Georgia’s Aviation Economy

Senator Reverend Warnock made his first visit to Gulfstream since taking office; first to Savannah since passing the FAA Reauthorization law with historic investments in nation’s aviation economy

Gulfstream is a giant in Georgia’s aviation economy employing over 13,000 Georgians

Savannah Tech has partnered with Gulfstream for over 50 years to provide a reliable aviation manufacturing workforce pipeline, a model Senator Reverend Warnock is working to recreate in Georgia and across the country

Senator Reverend Warnock secured historic investments in aviation workforce development through the FAA Reauthorization law

ICYMI from Savannah Morning News: Sen. Warnock visits Savannah Tech, Gulfstream to tout aviation workforce investments

ICYMI from WSAV: Senator Warnock in town to boost jobs in Savannah’s aviation industry

ICYMI from WJCL: Senator Raphael Warnock visits Gulfstream and Savannah Tech

Senator Reverend Warnock: “This investment in educational institutions to partner with local industry will take our aviation economy to new heights and allow young Georgians’ dreams to soar”

Top: Senator Warnock meets an aviation student at Savannah Tech

Bottom: Senator Warnock with aviation workers at Gulfstream’s Savannah headquarters (photo: Gulfstream)

Savannah, GA — This week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) toured Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Georgia following his successful efforts to secure historic investments in aviation workforce development and Georgia’s aviation economy through the FAA Reauthorization legislation passed in May. The legislation is the main vehicle for our nation’s aviation policies and is reauthorized every five years. Following a tour of Gulfstream, Senator Warnock visited Savannah Tech’s Crossroads Aviation Campus to meet with current students who are training to work at Gulfstream or in Georgia’s aviation economy.

At Gulfstream, Senator Warnock met with President Mark Burns and other company leadership for a roundtable discussion on how the company is prioritizing safety and integrity in their operations as one of Georgia’s largest manufacturing employers and a giant in America’s aviation economy. Senator Warnock also touted provisions he secured in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization to help companies like Gulfstream maintain their competitive edge and continue leading Georgia’s economy, while creating new good-paying jobs in the process. New provisions in the bipartisan law will improve the FAA’s ability to certify new aircraft and aviation technology effectively and efficiently. Just down the road at Savannah Tech’s Crossroads Aviation Campus, Senator Warnock joined President of Savannah Technical College Ryan Foley, Aviation Dean Jimmie Smith, and VP of Economic Development Tal Loos for a tour of the campus.

Top: Senator Warnock meets with Gulfstream leadership to discuss their shared priorities to bolster Georgia’s aviation economy (photo: Gulfstream)

Bottom: Senator Warnock hears from a student at Savannah Tech

As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee which oversees the nation’s transportation policies, aviation workforce development has long been one of Senator Warnock’s top priorities. That’s why Senator Warnock introduced the AIRWAYS Act, landmark legislation to provide public and non-profit educational institutions with the resources they need to address the shortage of pilots, mechanics, and manufacturers. Provisions of this legislation were passed into law as part of the FAA reauthorization, authorizing dedicated funding to train the manufacturing workforce for the first time. The Senator successfully securedprovisions authorizing tens of millions of dollars in additional federal investments to expand opportunities for these educational institutions to help establish more resilient and representative workforce pipelines, like the one between Savannah Tech, Groves High School, and Gulfstream. Savannah Tech has partnered with Gulfstream for over 50 years to provide a reliable aviation manufacturing workforce pipeline, and Groves High School provides students an introduction to aviation jobs.

Above: Senator Warnock meets an aviation student at Savannah Tech

Separately, the Senator’s new bipartisanPathways to Prosperity Act would help strengthen our workforce development pipeline across industries by codifying the Strengthening Community Colleges Grant Program. The bill would provide competitive grants to community and technical colleges to support partnerships between colleges and employers. These partnerships are intended to align community and technical college workforce development programs to local industry needs; establish, improve, or expand these programs; and bolster the local workforce.

See more coverage of Senators Reverend Warnock’s visit:

Savannah Morning News: Sen. Warnock visits Savannah Tech, Gulfstream to tout aviation workforce investments

July 23, 2024

When the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 in May, the legislation contained aviation workforce initiatives championed by U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock.

The law, which is updated every five years and supports the aviation industry, contained $240 million dedicated toward aviation workforce development. The legislation included Warnock’s Gulfstream-endorsed AIRWAYS Act, which aims to strengthen workforce pipelines in aviation.
Warnock visited Savannah Monday for the first time since the legislation passed, touring Gulfstream and Savannah Technical College’s aviation training campus. The senator, a Savannah native, touted the legislation’s support for programs such as those at Savannah Tech that address workforce shortages in the industry. “I know where we can find that talent,” Warnock said. “It’s all over Savannah, on both sides of the railroad track.”
Savannah Tech’s Aviation Division offers four areas of study: aircraft technology, aviation maintenance, advanced aviation maintenance, and avionics. The study areas offer an array of certificates and diploma programs. The aviation program is also home to a partnership with Gulfstream and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System for dual enrollment courses on aircraft maintenance, performance, and design. The program provides shadowing and apprenticeship opportunities at Gulfstream while also funneling students into job interviews prior to graduation. “They are setting the model for what we would love to see all across the nation,” Warnock said.
Monday’s tour of Savannah Tech’s aviation campus showcased the training in action, where students were seen completing final projects on aircraft mechanics and practicing assembly on various aircraft parts. One student, Justin Harris, explained to Warnock the purpose of the magneto part he was assembling. Known as the “heart of the ignition system,” the part directly serves the engine by providing high voltage to spark plugs. Harris then showed Warnock a test demonstration of the part where the lights were cut off to show a handful of spark plugs firing off at rapid pace. “(The students) are very impressive,” Warnock said. “Don’t bet against the American worker.”

WSAV: Warnock visits Savannah Tech, talks jobs, Harris campaign

July 22, 2024

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) was in his hometown Monday to tour aviation facilities and the Savannah Technical College amid his introduction of bipartisan legislation to bolster aviation job growth. […] “This legislation is a win-win-win,” said Warnock on the Pathways to Prosperity Act which he previously introduced to lawmakers.
“We need aviation mechanics; we need flight engineers, and I know that talent is all over Savannah,” the senator said. This comes as the nation faces a shortage of aviation workers, something Warnock says he hopes to fix, starting with talent from Savannah. “Addressing workforce issues and shortages is something I’ve been working on for a while, and I see a lot of opportunities to strengthen our workforce to better reflect the richness of our country,” he said.
“They are setting the model for what we would love to see all across the nation, this direct pipeline from our community colleges and technical colleges right into the aviation industry, as well as our larger workforce sectors,” said Warnock.

WJCL: Senator Raphael Warnock visits Gulfstream and Savannah Tech

July 22, 2024

Savannah Tech and Gulfstream have been teaming up for half a century now to provide a workforce in the aviation field. Recent legislation that passed spurred by Georgia US Senator Raphael Warnock will enhance that even more.
Savannah native and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is always happy to be back in his hometown, and on Monday he was especially happy. The Senator, checking in on things at Gulfstream and Savannah Tech’s aviation campus to celebrate the FAA Reauthorization […].
“The Pathways to Prosperity Act would give colleges and universities funding to collaborate with local industry partners to train Georgians up for the jobs that are coming right here in our state,” said Warnock.
“This investment in educational institutions to partner with local industry will take our aviation economy to new heights and allow young Georgians’ dreams to soar,” said Warnock.
And for those institutions like Savannah Tech, having the support of Senator Warnock is invaluable. “I think it’s always important to have the support of people of influence who understand the great work that we’re doing down here to help develop the workforce,” said Ryan Foley, President, Savannah Technical College. “Whether it’s creating programs to help support these programs and expand these programs.”
Savannah Tech and Gulfstream Aerospace have had a partnership for 50 years now, training the next generation of aviation workforce. And Senator Warnock says that’s the model he’d like to see in place elsewhere in the state of Georgia and throughout the United States. “This is a great model, I think, for how we empower American workers for the 21st-century economy,” said Warnock.
The state of Georgia is home to 108,000 aviation employees across 800 different companies, including Gulfstream whichemploys [13,000] workers at its Savannah facility.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: FLYING HIGH

July 23, 2024

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock made the most of his time in his visit to his hometown of Savannah for Monday’s Politically Georgia live event. Earlier in the day, he toured the campus of business jet manufacturer Gulfstream as well as Savannah Technical College’s aviation training center located adjacent to Gulfstream’s research and development labs.
In a news conference, Warnock touted his work to secure increased funding for aviation training opportunities as part of the recent reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. He said the legislation is particularly impactful in Georgia, where more than 100,000 residents are employed in the aviation industry. He called the partnership between Gulfstream and Savannah Tech, which offers six aviation-specific training courses, a model for the country.
Gulfstream’s rapid growth has at times outpaced the aviation expertise of the local labor pool, and Savannah Tech’s programs have helped feed Gulfstream’s 13,000-person local workforce. “This investment in educational institutions to partner with local industry will take our aviation economy to new heights and allow young Georgians’ dreams to soar,” Warnock said.

WTOC: Georgia Senator Warnock tours new Emergency Operations Center and Gulfstream’s Savannah Technical College aviation campus

July 22, 2024

Senator Warnock also toured aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream and Savannah Technical College’s aviation campus. Under the FAA’s Reauthorization is an added $120 million authorization for aviation workforce development efforts including projects that encourage underrepresented communities to work in the industry.
Senator Warnock met with Savannah Tech students saying aviation workforce development is among his top priorities. He says these measures will help reduce workforce shortages, increase diversity, and lower barriers to get into the aviation industry.
“When we broaden the pipeline for workforce, we get better workers. We get highly motivated, young people. We remove the barriers so they can focus on being the best that they can be. That’s a win for their families but that’s also a win for the economy,” said Senator Warnock.
Senator Warnock’s office says more than 100-thousand Georgians work in the aviation field. He also talked about new legislation that would expand a grant program supporting partnerships between companies and tech schools.

WSAV: Senator Warnock in town to boost jobs in Savannah’s aviation industry

July 22, 2024

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock will be back home in Savannah today to tour aviation facilities and promote legislation to fund training for jobs in the Coastal Empire.
The Senator will start with a tour of the Gulfstream Headquarters to speak with company leaders about Gulfstreams impact on the local economy, how the company will benefit from recent FAA legislation, and talk about his “Pathways to Prosperity Act.” He says the bill he introduced last month will facilitate a pipeline of federal resources to community and technical colleges so good-paying jobs go to hardworking Georgians.
The Senator cited the importance of local training for local jobs in a local workforce. After the Senator’s visit to Gulfstream, he will tour the Savannah Technical College Crossroads Campus with the same message.

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