Lift off for space careers as UKSA launches 50-placement scheme

The UK Space Agency’s Skills for Space will provide paid placements for a period of two months, designed to give undergraduates and Further Education students “hands-on experience working on real-world projects in one of the UK's fastest-growing industries”.

Applications for internship candidates are open, while placements will be announced in May and will be run between July and August this year.

Dr Paul Bate, the outgoing CEO of the UK Space Agency who steps down at the end of March, said:

“The UK space sector is growing rapidly, and we need talented, diverse people to help us seize the opportunities ahead. Skills for Space will give young people from all backgrounds the chance to gain real-world experience and develop the skills our industry needs.

“These 50 internships are an investment in the future of UK space – helping us build a workforce that is innovative, inclusive and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”

The sector acknowledges that, like most engineering and manufacturing sectors, it faces “significant” recruitment challenges.

A recent Space Skills survey revealed eight out of 10 space organisations faced recruitment difficulties – a significant rise from just over six out of 10 in 2020.

More than half of organisations reported skills gaps in their current workforce, with 61% identifying gaps in job applicants.

Skills for Space is a strategic investment in the UK’s future workforce. By embedding practical skills and industry exposure, the programme helps close critical skills gaps in engineering, software, data science and professional competencies, while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.

Ben Stern, vice chair of sector trade association UKspace heads the Space Skills Advisory Panel said his organisation welcomed the UK Space Agency’s support through the new scheme:  

“The space sector employs people from a variety of backgrounds in diverse roles across the whole of the country - but it is not always easy for students to realise that there are exciting opportunities open to them to follow a career in the space sector,” said Stern.   

“This scheme will help to raise awareness of the fantastic roles available in the UK space sector and break down barriers to entry.  Experience shows that successful internships can be an opening to longer term employment as companies and the intern already know each other.  

The UK space sector currently employs more than 55,000 people and generates and estimated £18.6 billion for the UK economy.

Pic: WikiImages