I’ve spent my career figuring out how to help people not just learn—but actually do. To take knowledge and make it real, tangible, applicable. That’s been my mission at Allen Interactions for decades, helping organizations build training that leads to real skill development. But space? That was something I never imagined stepping into professionally until a conversation with an old friend changed everything.
It was 2018 when my childhood friend Joe called me. He had spent years in the Marine Corps and was considering retiring from service. One day, when talking about what was next for him, Joe mentioned something that had always bothered him: how highly trained, highly educated professionals in military and national security settings struggled with practical space knowledge.
He told me about a moment at the Pentagon, sitting in a room full of PhDs, some of the smartest people in their field. A question came up about using certain space assets, and Joe immediately knew how to calculate the answer. The others were surprised and asked him how he came to the answer so quickly. The reality was that he had learned from experience. No textbook or classroom training could have prepared him for the quick, applied decision-making that real-world space operations require.
That was the lightbulb moment. The space industry is growing fast, but workforce development hasn’t kept up. Training models remain outdated, making it harder for professionals to build and apply real skills. Too many careers stall because knowledge is tested instead of ability. But in space, what you can do matters more than what you know. Joe knew there had to be a better way.
A Smarter Way to Train and Grow in Space Careers
I’ve spent my career designing better ways to help people learn and demonstrate their expertise. Back in the ’70s, computer based training was becoming a valuable tool for large organizations. At the same time pioneers like Clarke Porter—develped the first computer-based exam, later founding VUE and the Acclaim platform, both acquired by Pearson—were already thinking about how technology could transform professional development. Clarke helped shape digital credentials that gave people control over their expertise rather than keeping their skills locked inside corporate training programs.
The space industry lacks standardization and ubiquitous paths to labor participation, but with the Space Workforce Institute, that’s beginning to change. As the workforce expands, space professionals need a way to continuously develop their skills and, more importantly, prove their mastery in a way that extends beyond their immediate supervisors. That’s why we launched the Space Workforce Institute (SWI)—to create certifications that demonstrate real capability and transfer across the sector.
Clarke helped us bring this vision closer to a reality by connecting us with Bill West, a leading expert in certification and stackable credentials. Over the next year, we built SWI’s foundation, combining decades of experience in learning science, digital credentials, and workforce development. Now, we’re recruiting industry leaders to help define the standards for space workforce credentials—ones that truly reflect skill, not just time spent training.
Why This Matters Now
Addressing this challenge combines the work I’ve championed for decades with my passion for helping people gain confidence and competence. At Allen Interactions, we’ve helped tens of millions of people in sectors spanning cosmetics to aviation, ranging in age from elementary students to retirees demonstrate real world expertise.
Now, we have a chance to do the same for the space industry—an industry that will define the future of national security, commercial innovation, and global leadership. But if we don’t act now, we’ll miss a critical moment. With adversaries like China advancing fast and reshaping the landscape, the need for a highly skilled space workforce in the United States has never been greater.
We need to build a workforce faster, with greater breadth of skills, and invested in building a culture of continuous learning. Training must be practical, experiential, and accessible to anyone with the drive to be part of it.
What’s Next?
SWI is launching now because the time is right. We’re rolling out our first certification programs this spring and partnering with industry leaders to ensure our training aligns with real job needs.
And we’re just getting started.
If you’re an employer looking for skilled workers, a professional wanting to grow in the space industry, or someone who believes in building a stronger, smarter space workforce—join us.
Because the future of space isn’t just about rockets and satellites. It’s about people—and it starts with building a workforce that’s ready to lead.