Southern Utah University was one of seven institutions awarded a combined $10.5 million from NASA to support skilled training that prepares students for the aerospace workforce.
The awarded money will be put toward “bringing students into high-demand technical jobs” including machinists, welders, electricians and other STEM careers, NASA said in a release.
“The need for technical talent is already urgent and will only continue to grow as we return humanity to the Moon and set our sights on Mars and beyond,” said Elaine Ho, associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“NASA is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst and convener that accelerates America’s aerospace workforce development and fosters the next generation of technicians.”
Awarded funds will help high school and college students enter the aerospace workforce
The awards were made through NASA’s Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative, also referred to as NASA State Hubs. The initiative is meant to “accelerate the development of technical roles to meet the talent demands of the space industry,” NASA said.
Each state’s hub works with NASA to create a pathway for students to pursue highly skilled jobs in the aerospace industry.
Using the awarded money, SUU will work with high school and college students to prepare them for an aerospace career.
“SUU cares deeply about giving our students practical, real-world experiences that connect what they learn in class to a great career,” said SUU Executive Director of Community and Workforce Development Melinda Pfundstein in a release.
“This award from NASA will bring high schools, colleges, and industry leaders together; giving students the hands-on skills, industry credentials, and confidence they need to move right into high-paying, future-ready jobs.”
In addition to providing NASA with “a steady flow of local talent,” the program “reinforces Utah’s standing as a leader in aerospace workforce development,” the university said.
Other Utah schools are also on NASA’s radar
This is not the first time Utah schools have been recognized by NASA for achievement in the aerospace industry.
In 2023, NASA recognized a team of students from Utah State University as one of the first teams of undergraduates to build a CubeSat, a miniature satellite used for space research, that launched from the International Space Station.
By using inexpensive hardware and software, the team proved that CubeSat projects could be made more affordable, NASA said. The satellite had 117 active flight days.
That same year, the University of Utah was one of seven schools selected to develop concepts for producing metal on the Moon. The winning proposal from a team of University of Utah students suggested a process called Carbonyl Iron Refining that would create iron using dust on the moon’s surface.
More recently, the University of Utah was awarded funding in April to advance the science of manufacturing high-temperature alloys to be used in the aerospace industry, in addition to the energy, space and defense industries.
SUU is 1 of 7 organizations expected to receive NASA funding
The full list of organizations awarded NASA funding is:
- Antelope Valley Community College District in Lancaster, California
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- Southern Utah University
- Space Florida
- State Board for Community Colleges and Occupation Education, Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado
- Texas Space Commission