Concern of the Space Enterprise Community

Retirement eligibility estimates for space enterprise are as high as 50% over the next five years.  Yet fewer and fewer entering college students are testing competent in math and science.  As a result, fewer and fewer students are entering aerospace-related majors.  Of those that are entering engineering disciplines, a growing percentage are foreign students and not ultimately eligible for the many aerospace jobs that require security clearances.  An aerospace workforce crisis looms.  Considering California's historic strength in this field, a shortage of qualified engineering recruits will have a major negative affect on California's economy.  To remain preeminent in the space enterprise community, the U.S., and California, in particular, must grow more of its own skilled and engineering workers.

Recommendation:

• Support the full funding of the Employment Training Panel (ETP).
  The ETP assists businesses in acquiring and retaining a highly skilled workforce.  Employers fund this program by paying a special tax, yet dollars paid to the fund are increasingly diverted to other state programs.
• Oppose Assembly Bill 234 (Haynes)
  This legislation would eliminate the ETP.
• Support Senate Bill 404 (Migden)
  This measure would require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue an eminence credential to persons that have met certain guidelines.  CSA believe this measure would be very beneficial in providing an opportunity for retired aerospace engineers to become public school science teachers.
• Support Senate Bill 498 (Cox)
  This measure would enact the California Troops to Teachers Program, providing grants to qualified members of the Armed Forces who accept a teaching position in the public school system.  CSA believes that a preponderance of such candidates will have a science background and will again help enhance the public school system's science departments.

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