Collaborations, Initiatives & Forums

Business summits and other events around the state and in Brevard serve to identify tactical strategies that can be implemented to collectively create opportunities that help the community best manage job losses and change. These initiatives, programs and goals, along with the many efforts underway regionally to identify new business opportunities and job growth, help aerospace workers transition for the next phase of their career and help Brevard remain a strong community.

The new future for Florida aerospace includes Commercial Crew Development, a 21st Century Launch Complex, flagship technology demonstrations and other opportunities.

Some regional activities have included or are continuing:

Regional Aerospace Workforce Initiative – A regional multi-stakeholder group, co-sponsored by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, with a mission to identify and promote job alternatives for space workers.

Florida Space & Technology Forum – A regional/statewide meeting of legislative and congressional leaders to discuss space policy priorities.

Brevard Workforce Express – A mobile workforce services project supported by Kennedy Space Center and co-sponsored by corporate partners brings services directly to space contractor job sites.

Florida Aerospace Resource Center – A Workforce Florida-sponsored “Banner Center” devoted to aerospace workforce development

KSC Office – An on-site Brevard Workforce office at Kennedy Space Center to expedite and facilitate outreach/services to the space contractor workforce.

Space Business Development Group – A biweekly discussion group of space policy leaders, on strategizing state and federal initiatives aimed at expanding and diversifying the state’s space enterprise.

Aerospace Career & Development Council – A regional/statewide organization that meets bi-monthly to discuss and develop space-related policy priorities.

Save Space – A grassroots letter-writing campaign to the White House, which urged the president to implement campaign promises that would protect aerospace jobs and retain critical skills for the nation’s space program. Save Space has initiated rallies and been instrumental in elevating Florida’s space industry concerns.

SpaceTEC – A national aerospace technician training and certification initiative, aimed at credentialing workers who have gained critical skills through hands-on experience in the aerospace industry.

Embry-Riddle Collaboration – contracting with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to receive ongoing support for policy advocacy and coordination, including various forms of outreach and coordination.

Economic Development – Brevard Workforce is working with local and state economic development organizations as they attempt to recruit new aerospace businesses to Brevard County with workforce-oriented incentives. The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast works to diversity our economy and to mitigate expected changes in the aerospace industry. They have aligned resources and actions with an aggressive three-year strategic plan that includes four critical priorities: business development, creating a competitive business environment, marketing and communications, and resource development and allocation. From these strategic priorities they will strive to achieve three measurable