Seven Aerospace Workforce Hubs Receive $10.5 Million From NASA

NASA has awarded approximately $10.5 million to seven organizations to develop state-level pipelines for skilled technical jobs in the aerospace industry. Announced Wednesday, the awards are part of the agency’s new Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative and will support programs in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas and Utah.

State-Level Training Networks

The hubs will bring together aerospace employers, community colleges, high school career and technical education programs and workforce organizations. NASA says the programs will focus on skills identified by employers and expand routes into technical careers through education, apprenticeships and direct connections between job seekers and companies. Target occupations include welders, electricians, machinists and other technical positions.

“NASA is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst and convener that accelerates America’s aerospace workforce development and fosters the next generation of technicians,” Elaine Ho, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, said in the agency’s announcement.

The cooperative agreements will run for three years and are funded through NASA’s Next Gen STEM Project.

Avionics, Maintenance And Manufacturing

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will receive $1.5 million and plans to train students in areas including avionics, nondestructive testing, precision machining, automation, robotics and systems integration. The system says its hub is targeting 1,800 to 2,400 students, 500 to 700 aerospace-related credentials and between 140 and 200 new apprenticeships and internships during the three-year program.

Arapahoe Community College’s Colorado Space Institute will receive $1.3 million for its state hub and plans to expand internships, apprenticeships and employer-directed technician training. The other lead organizations selected by NASA are Antelope Valley Community College District, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Southern Utah University, Space Florida and the Texas Space Commission.