Representative Letlow Announces Grant Funding for Central Louisiana Technical Community College’s Aviation Career and Education (CLTCC ACE) Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) announced a new grant for the Fifth District of Louisiana from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Central Louisiana Technical Community College will receive $500,000 from the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) Maintenance program. This FY24 grant will go towards the Central Louisiana Technical Community College’s Aviation Career and Education (CLTCC ACE) Initiative. Letlow visited England Airpark in August 2023 and May 2021 to discuss plans for the ACE Initiative.
Specifically, the grant funds will support the CLTCC’s work to increase the aviation maintenance workforce and will focus on aircraft maintenance, repair, and overall operations. In addition, they will partner with Louisiana State University Alexandria’s Flight School and England Airpark & Community so they can utilize the Airpark’s assets and grow CLTCC’s workforce. This will provide individuals in the industry with skills and jobs in the future that benefit the aviation industry.
“I am thrilled with the news of this new grant for Central Louisiana Technical Community College’s Aviation Career and Education Initiative,” said Rep. Letlow. “As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am always working on ways to address workforce shortages and provide individuals with opportunities to gain experience and skills that lead to good jobs. I applaud this initiative for working to fill the aviation mechanic technician workforce gap and increase enrollment in the Aviation Maintenance Technician Program at CLTCC.”
“CLTCC is extremely grateful to Congresswoman Letlow for her strong support of workforce development and our emerging Aviation Maintenance Program. This investment will support our program to prepare students for a career in aircraft maintenance and repair. Our program will be an integral part of an unprecedented Aviation Career and Education (ACE) partnership with England Authority and Louisiana State University of Alexandria, graduating its inaugural class of aviators in 2026,” said CLTCC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle.
The AWD program was created by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and receives annual funding through the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.
###