Houston, Texas (KTRK) – Vice President Kamala Harris outlined space priorities during her visit to Space City, and they could greatly affect Houston for many years to come.
Inside San Jacinto College’s Edge Center there are classes that can come to schools of the future across the country.
“We’re trying to build this pipeline for future space workers,” said Dr. Janice Fowler, director of space, education and workforce development at San Jacinto College.
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The Edge Center trains students for vehicle and electrical certifications to break into careers in aviation. “The airlines have retired technicians with experience, and with that, they weren’t necessarily hiring technicians who came in and trained behind them,” Fowler explained.
On Friday, the vice president led her second meeting of the National Space Council at the Johnson Space Center.
It announced plans to put millions into aviation workforce programs through schools and apprenticeships.
“Good-paying jobs often don’t require a four-year degree but are essential to our space program,” Harris said. “These jobs are just waiting to be filled.”
During the two-hour meeting, Harris asked the board to focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM. She wants the Education Department to develop ways to get more kids involved in science, technology, engineering and math, which could lead to careers in aviation.
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Harris said she is also concerned about the direction the airspace is headed. Other nations are taking off into space, as are private companies.
Harris asked leaders to develop rules and regulations while sharing more. “Because these capabilities are so new, there are few rules currently in place to ensure they are conducted safely, effectively and sustainably,” Harris explained.
Education leaders think it might be what they need to train more students to fill space jobs.
“The jobs of the future are really what it’s all about, and those jobs of the future are going to be more stable, they’re going to pay more, and they’re going to boost our economy even more in Houston,” Fowler said.
While other parts of the country are looking to set up this training, it’s already happening in Houston and is about to get a bigger boost after the vice president’s visit.
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