Space Launch Boom at Vandenberg Driving Aerospace Job Growth on the Central Coast
New activity in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and aviation is opening the door to new career opportunities across the Central Coast, and training programs are helping local residents prepare for them.
“Vandenberg Space Force Base recorded 70+ space launches, missile tests and aeronautical operations in 2025 - its highest level of activity since the 1960s,” said Michael Foote, Director of Economic Development & Community Affairs at REACH. “Additional launch providers are building additional launch capacity at the base, and industry observers say Vandenberg could soon become the world’s busiest spaceport.”
Momentum is spreading across the region. In Paso Robles, city leaders are pursuing an FAA horizontal spaceport license at the municipal airport, aimed at supporting emerging aerospace companies and workforce development.
Regional economic development organization REACH projects that more than 6,000 new jobs could be created locally by 2027 across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and related industries.
A Growing Industry Needs a Workforce
As these industries grow, demand for skilled workers across the Central Coast is growing with them.
Many of these roles fall within advanced manufacturing - the hands-on technical work that produces the parts used in satellites, spacecraft, advanced drones, and next-generation aircraft.
Across the region, engineers and technicians are helping build the technology behind space launches, autonomous aircraft, advanced aviation technologies, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), which includes flying cars.
Jobs can include assembling satellite components, machining precision aerospace parts, or building the systems that power advanced drones and aircraft.
Many of these careers rely on technical training and specialized skills rather than traditional four-year engineering degrees, creating new pathways into high-skill industries.
Training Programs Expanding Across the Central Coast
Across the Central Coast, several training programs are being launched to help locals and students gain the skills needed to step into these careers.
Modern Manufacturing Bootcamp
SLO Partners runs a 7-week Modern Manufacturing Bootcamp where locals learn hands-on skills used in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Graduates are then connected with local companies looking to hire.
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
High school students can take pre-apprenticeship classes at school, where they begin learning technical skills used in fields like advanced manufacturing and aerospace, and can earn a pre-apprenticeship certification.
Manufacturing Docent Program
Starting this spring, graduates of the Modern Manufacturing Bootcamp will visit local high schools to lead one-off hands-on manufacturing projects, giving students a chance to see what these careers are like.
Trust Automation Apprenticeship Program
San Luis Obispo manufacturer Trust Automation in collaboration with San Luis Coastal Foundation recently launched an Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program directly integrated as an extension of the school day with several local High schools.
“The program gives high school seniors hands-on training and a pathway into entry-level manufacturing jobs,” said Ty Safreno, CEO of Trust Automation. “These are the kinds of skills that power the aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies growing here on the Central Coast.”
“A lot of people don’t realize these kinds of careers exist right here on the Central Coast. Someone could be helping assemble a satellite payload going into space or working on the next generation of flying cars. These industries are growing quickly, and there are training programs right here that can help local residents build the skills to step into these jobs.” - James Brescia, County Superintendent of Schools
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