Akamai Workforce Initiative: A New Era of Building a Multi-Level Diverse Workforce in Astronomy and Remote Sensing

This project addresses workforce challenges in Hawaii and nationally, through the Akamai Workforce Initiative. Hawaii is a vital resource for advancing U.S. research, technology and national security, in the fields of astronomy and space situational awareness, but faces ongoing challenges in meeting workforce needs and maintaining productive community relations. In Hawaii, workforce development shortfalls have the potential to impede U.S. leadership in astronomy and space surveillance, and the situation exemplifies problems faced by many large, remotely located facilities. Construction of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope DKIST is about to start operations on the summit of Haleakala Maui increasing the demand for a local workforce, which will affect all existing facilities and projects, including the Maui Space Surveillance Complex and subcontractors that carry out maintenance, operation, and R and D for the Air Force.