Nova Space Newsletter

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The Space Industry's Talent Experts!

We identify, equip, place, and develop space industry professionals.

Nova Space leads the way in the space industry's talent ecosystem, catering to a diverse array of needs. Whether you're an individual seeking your next life-changing challenge, a hiring manager in search of elusive talent, or a visionary leader keen on upskilling your existing workforce, Nova Space offers tailored solutions to meet your talent requirements.

Turnover and Retention: An Unspoken Cost Center Affecting Space Companies

By Joseph Horvath, Nova Space CEO

The space industry has two major pain points, and they are not related to systems, capabilities, or public excitement about the future. The biggest hurdles facing companies today are workforce availability and capital resources. While slightly different challenges, they are related in how they impact a space company’s ability to grow and remain competitive.

In the current environment, smart choices made in hiring and workforce development can aid the capital crunch by supporting affordable talent acquisition, decreasing turnover, motivating employees, and retaining experienced problems solvers. The bottom line is… people are the greatest strength to the space industry and overlooked in comparison to technology or systems.

Source. Train. Retain. Upskill. 4 words that should be a mantra of the growing space industry looking to solve the workforce challenge. Yet, companies and agencies are all vying for the same, limited piece of the talent pie. Everybody wants a unicorn, regardless of whether they can afford it or even find it.

Today’s space workforce conditions make reducing turnover and retraining of adjacent industry talent top priorities:

• As of 2021, there were about?1 million people in the aerospace and defense workforce in the U.S. alone
• Only 17% of the space agency’s workforce is under 35
• The “great resignation ” is seeing a disproportionate loss of Boomers leaving the workforce, along with their extensive knowledge and experience
• At the four year universities and colleges, from 2017 to 2022, engineering student enrollments have dropped by about?100,000
• Turnover can cost U.S. organizations?upwards of 213% ?of the lost employee’s salary
• 87% of U.S. employers said that improving retention is a?critical priority ?for their organization

The loss of Boomers not being met by Millennials or Gen Z is due to a few reasons:

• Lack of interest in STEM careers and studies
• Higher frequency of job changes throughout working years
• Lack of individual employee investment in training and upskilling by organizations

What is the true cost of turnover or lack of retention? Studies show that the cost to replace an employee range from 1-2 times the annual average salary. The average for the space industry is?$125k for average salary , which equates to $125-250k per employee lost.

Workforce Development?

The complete package for your organization!

Increase productivity and improve team communications by training your workforce with our award-winning Space Professional Training Program . Our bundled package includes our placement services for a complete talent solution.?

Placement Services?

Save resources when searching for quality talent!

We understand the challenges businesses face when it comes to sourcing and hiring top talent. Our team of industry experts alleviate these challenges by providing tailored recruitment solutions that align with your specific needs.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

By Joseph Horvath, Nova Space CEO

I recently saw a recruiting firm put out a job advertisement for a space position with the following criteria:

Clearance Required for Position

Geographic Location

Type of Orbital Regime

Type of Sensor

In the national security space community, we call this classification by compilation:

“Classification by compilation is when you take two or more pieces of unclassified information and put them together in a way that discloses classified information. Similarly, you can apply this to items of information that are classified at a specified level, but when combined, becomes classified at a higher level.”

By putting all these pieces of information out to the public you are giving enough information to adversaries that may be able to determine what the project entails, and potentially even its capabilities.

To recruiting firms: stop doing this.? It has the potential to cause damage to national security and could hurt your client.

To companies: stop using firms that do this. Not only can it damage national security, but it could put your program or facility clearance at risk.

Supporting clients who are developing classified programs requires a recruiting agency that have experience working in the national security space arena.? Be careful who you choose.

We can help with all of your recruitment and placement needs!

Whether you are looking for your dream job, or your dream candidate, Nova Space can help!

We are currently looking for the following positions:

• Program Managers
• Software Developers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Welders

2024 Workplace Predictions: Workers' Ambitions, Driving Flexibility And AI Skills Will Be In Focus

Sander van ‘t Noordende

?2023 has been a year of transition for the world of work. Global markets are turbulent but talent scarcity continues and the need for skilled talent is growing. Our clients tell us that attracting and retaining the right people is higher on their agenda than ever before.

Meanwhile, talent expectations have shifted. They want more than a wage - focusing on learning opportunities, a sense of belonging and work-life balance. To retain competitive advantage, employers need to step up to meet talent demands and understand what motivates them, as it may not be what employers are used to.

Nova Space Inc., 3800 American Blvd. W, Suite 1500, Minneapolis, MN 55431, United States, +1 (612) 584-0590