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Space Studies Board Annual Report 2006 (2007) / Chapter Skim
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7.3 The NASA Workforce: Does NASA Have the Right Strategy and Policies to Retain and Build the Workforce It Will Need?
Pages 121-125

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From page 121...
... As such we are not yet prepared to provide a complete set of recommendations but expect to do so in our final report. The NRC Committee's charge from NASA is to explore long-range science and technology workforce needs to achieve the nation's long-term space exploration vision, identify obstacles to filling those needs, and explore solutions for consideration by government, academia, and industry.
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From page 122...
... However, the committee believes that in order to continue to have an adequate supply of these employees, it is important that NASA provide adequate funding for university based research programs and flight opportunities. This will help ensure that universities continue to sustain curriculum, faculty, and student interest in the aerospace sciences and technologies.
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From page 123...
... The NRC Committee's initial reaction to NASA's work done so far is that it is incomplete and reflects a top-down view of what skill mixes are needed and as such is more theoretical than empirical. An essential aspect of any answer to this question is the "make/buy ratio" that NASA decides to implement, i.e.
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From page 124...
... Conversely, should NASA opt to place more emphasis on building what is needed using an in-house workforce, they will need to recognize that in next five years or so, they will have gaps in necessary expertise that cannot be rapidly filled by training current in-house people or by inexperienced new hires. The NRC Committee has examined this issue, and the Committee concludes that ways must be found for NASA to supplement its present workforce with members of industry, the retiree community, and academia who do currently possess the skills required.
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From page 125...
... In closing my prepared remarks Mr. Chairman, I would note that the NRC Committee feels strongly that NASA needs to look outside of itself in assessing the nature, scope, and possible solutions for its skill mix.
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  • adequate funding
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  • political sense
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  • properly fund


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