NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium, headquartered at The University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Geophysics, will be collaborating in a new statewide effort to grow Texas’ skilled technical aerospace workforce after NASA selected the Texas Space Commission as one of seven organizations nationwide to host a NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hub.
The three-year cooperative agreements are designed to connect industry employers, community and technical colleges, high school career and technical education programs, and workforce agencies so more students can move into high-demand technical careers such as welding, electrical work, machining and other advanced technical roles that will support upcoming NASA missions.
In Texas, the Texas Space Commission will lead the Texas Space STEAM Alliance (TSSA), a statewide network that will use a new online portal – the Texas Aerospace Pathways Plus, or TAP+ – to connect students and employers to internships, apprenticeships, jobs and scholarships across the state. The alliance aims to enroll more than 25,000 students in TAP+ by its second year and engage thousands more through outreach events.
NASA Texas Space Grant submitted a formal statement of commitment in support of the Texas Space Commission’s proposal, pledging to align its existing scholarship, fellowship, internship and outreach programs with the new alliance.
About NASA State Hubs
The NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative addresses a growing nationwide shortage of skilled technical workers – those in science and engineering-based roles that do not require a four-year degree – as the space economy expands and NASA pursues its Artemis lunar and future Mars missions. The initiative is funded through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement.