Building A Talent Pipeline to the New Space Economy
As the space economy expands rapidly, one challenge stands out across every segment of the industry: talent. From spacecraft manufacturing to advanced aviation systems, the workforce needed to support the next generation of aerospace innovation must be built now—and it must start earlier than many people realize.
At spaceNEXT 2026, leaders from education, aviation, and economic development gathered for a panel titled “Building a Talent Pipeline to the New Space Industry.” Moderated by Marc Matthie of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the discussion featured Kelly Robucci of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Andrew Gordon of Ace Flight Solutions, and Pat Hampel of Lionheart Aviation Services.
Together, they explored how education systems, industry leaders, and policymakers can work together to create a workforce pipeline capable of supporting the rapidly growing space and aerospace sectors.
A New Era of Opportunity
Matthie opened the session by reflecting on how transformative the emerging space economy feels—even to those who work in education every day. From manufacturing medicine in microgravity to ultra-fast travel across the globe, the ideas discussed throughout the conference illustrated just how quickly the future of space is evolving.
For educators, that transformation brings a powerful realization: today’s students will be the ones building this future.
That realization places schools at the center of workforce development efforts. But as panelists emphasized, schools cannot do it alone.
The Overlap Between Aviation and Space
Andrew Gordon highlighted how closely the aviation and space industries are connected when it comes to workforce development.
Many of the technical skills required in aerospace—such as welding, materials engineering, avionics systems, and software development—apply directly to both aviation and space technologies. By training students in these areas, educators can help prepare them for careers across multiple industries.
“If we train for one,” Gordon explained, “we’re also training for the other.”
That crossover creates a powerful opportunity. Skills developed for aircraft maintenance or aviation systems today can translate directly into spacecraft development and advanced aerospace systems tomorrow.
Sparking Interest Early
Pat Hampel emphasized the importance of inspiring students early in their educational journey.
For many professionals in aviation, the passion began with a formative moment—attending an air show, watching aircraft take flight, or discovering the thrill of aviation for the first time. Creating similar moments for young students can spark long-term interest in aerospace careers.
For Hampel, the most rewarding aspect of training pilots and aviation professionals has been seeing that spark of achievement when students reach a milestone.
“That light in their eyes when they accomplish something they’ve been striving for—that’s what drives educators and mentors,” he said.
Cultivating that inspiration early helps students envision careers in industries they might never have considered otherwise.
Industry Partnerships Are Essential
Kelly Robucci underscored the critical role that industry partnerships play in preparing students for real-world careers.
When businesses collaborate with schools, they help bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. Students gain exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities, making their education more relevant and engaging.
By introducing career awareness as early as middle school and offering internships or work-based learning opportunities in high school, companies can begin developing the next generation of skilled professionals long before graduation.
“It makes learning real,” Robucci explained. “And that’s where the spark happens.”
These partnerships can also help students explore a variety of career paths—from engineering and research to technical trades and operations.
Rethinking the Workforce Pipeline
The panel also discussed the need to rethink how education and industry interact.
Traditionally, the path from education to employment has been viewed as linear: students complete school, then enter the workforce. But today’s workforce demands a more integrated approach.
Instead, education and industry must operate as interconnected systems, with students gaining exposure to professional environments throughout their academic journey.
Work-based learning programs, apprenticeships, internships, and project-based experiences allow students to develop both technical and professional skills before entering the workforce full time.
Addressing Barriers to Entry
Despite the opportunities in aviation and aerospace careers, barriers still exist—particularly the cost of training.
Flight training, technical certifications, and specialized workforce programs can be expensive, creating obstacles for students who might otherwise pursue careers in these fields.
Panelists suggested that stronger collaboration between government, industry, and education institutions could help address these challenges through incentives, training programs, and workforce development initiatives.
Other barriers include safety regulations and age restrictions that limit certain hands-on opportunities for younger students. Creative solutions—such as youth apprenticeships or simulation-based projects—can help bridge those gaps.
The Scale of the Opportunity
The need for skilled aerospace professionals is growing rapidly. Panelists noted that the aviation industry alone faces a projected shortage of thousands of pilots and maintenance technicians in the coming decade.
At the same time, emerging technologies such as autonomous aircraft, electric vertical takeoff vehicles, drones, and commercial spaceflight are expanding the demand for highly skilled workers.
Within a 15-mile radius of the conference venue, Matthie pointed out, there are five school districts representing roughly 375,000 students—a massive talent pool ready to be engaged.
The challenge is not finding talent. It is building the bridge between education and opportunity.
Building the Highway to Space
As the discussion concluded, panelists emphasized that building a workforce for the space economy requires long-term investment and collaboration.
The foundation must begin with students—providing them with exposure, mentorship, and real-world experiences that spark curiosity and build skills.
Industry leaders must also step forward to engage directly with classrooms, share their expertise, and help shape the next generation of professionals.
If the space economy is to reach its full potential, the workforce powering it must be developed intentionally.
As Robucci summarized, building the future of space begins with building the infrastructure for talent today.
“If we want to build the highway to space,” she said, “it starts with our younger generation.”
