The Aerospace Corporation
Named One of AARP's
Best Employers for Workers Over 50
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (9/23/03) -- For the second year in a row, The Aerospace Corporation has been selected as one of AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50, AARP announced today in New York. The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit firm with headquarters in El Segundo, California, is the only aerospace company recognized by AARP in its annual listings in both 2002 and 2003.
"Congratulations to The Aerospace Corporation on being recognized as a 2003 AARP Best Employer for Workers over 50," said Deborah Russell, manager of Economic Security and Work at AARP. "The Aerospace Corporation is ahead of the curve in recognizing the value of the mature worker."
AARP's criteria for the awards include recruitment (including former or retired employees), continuing opportunities for advancement, flexible work schedules, and benefits for current and retired employees.
Training and Development
President and CEO Dr. William F. Ballhaus Jr. cited the company's training and development practices as a major factor in helping The Aerospace Corporation make AARP's list for the second consecutive year.
"This award is another affirmation of the wonderful balance of employment and developmental opportunities The Aerospace Corporation offers its employees," Ballhaus said. "The fact that some 90 percent of employees older than 50 developed their careers at the company demonstrates that the corporation provides a nurturing work environment, one that offers promotional and career development opportunities for those with the requisite qualifications and experience."
Gloria Williams, director of Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity, added that "most of our senior employees began their careers at Aerospace or joined the company early in their careers when they were in their 20s." To maintain a balanced workforce, Williams said, the company's goal is to include among its new hires 15 percent recent college graduates.
"The company is structured in such as way that less-experienced workers have a natural career path they can follow as they mature," Williams said. "Typically, our newer employees start in general engineering jobs and, as they gain experience working with professionals, are assigned to a specific program. Conveying the experienced gained over a long career at Aerospace to these newer engineers is one of the most valuable contributions made by our older employees."
Half of Employees Over 50
Nearly one-half of The Aerospace Corporation's 3,400 regular, full-time workers is over 50. Among the benefits older employees enjoy are a phased retirement program; alternative work arrangements, such as flextime and telecommuting; and special arrangements for employees who want to continue working after they retire.
Ballhaus said the company's experienced staff members are an important asset in fulfilling the company's mission.
"Because The Aerospace Corporation is directly involved in the development, evolution, and sustainment of critical national defense space systems it is important to develop and retain top engineers and scientists to keep these systems at the leading edge of technology advancement," he said.
The company is to be formally recognized by AARP at a dinner in New York City on September 24.
In addition to its headquarters location, The Aerospace Corporation maintains offices in California at Onizuka Air Force Station, Pasadena, and Vandenberg Air Force Base; Colorado at Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peterson Air Force Base, and Schriever Air Force Base; Florida at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base; Maryland at Columbia, Silver Spring, and Suitland; Nebraska at Offutt Air Force Base; New Mexico at Albuquerque and Kirtland Air Force Base; Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; Pennsylvania at Philadelphia; Texas at Houston and Johnson Space Center; Virginia at Alexandria, Arlington, Chantilly, Crystal City, and Falls Church; and Washington, D.C.
Contact George Torres, 310-336-3467, george.j.torres@aero.org .
