Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
Paragraph: 144
The space sector is suffering from a skills shortage, with experienced employees and those with...
Recommendation
The space sector is suffering from a skills shortage, with experienced employees and those with skills such as programming being particularly hard to find. Higher Education institutions struggle to provide training that keeps pace with technical advancements happening in the sector’s industries. The UK Space Agency’s newly convened Space Skills Advisory Panel (SSAP) should look to establish a working group, including representatives from Higher Education institutes, Doctoral Training Centre’s, and industry, who should develop joint training programmes that address the skills gap and allow future space employees to gain experience in the most advanced technologies.
Government Response Summary
The government will establish the National Space Skills Institute (NSSI) to catalyse investment in innovative training programs, co-design employability programs, and support the development of more space-specific apprenticeships. The UKSA will continue to deliver the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) Programme, with increased funding in 2023 and plans for expansion in 2024 and 2025.
Paragraph Reference:
144
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The establishment of the National Space Skills Institute (NSSI) will also seek to alleviate hesitancy from companies to invest money and time into training staff by catalysing investment into new and innovative training programmes, courses and learning opportunities that provide flexibility for both employers and employees. Further, the NSSI will seek to establish co-designed programmes focused specifically on ‘employability’, including courses that bridge the gap between graduate’s practical understanding and industry’s expectations upon hiring. Additionally, the NSSI will co-design ‘career conversion’ opportunities for highly skilled workers from adjacent sectors seeking to pursue a career in the space sector. The NSSI will also work collaboratively across government, industry and academia to support the development of more space-specific apprenticeships, alleviated the need for all new hires into the sector to require a degree. The UKSA will continue to deliver the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) Programme, which brokers projects that provide real experience of work in the space sector for university students to tackle the UK space sector skills shortage. This highly successful scheme has already seen over 400 students take part, and approximately 60% have gone on Government Response: UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure 17 to employment in the sector since participating. Many more continue their studies before going on to employment in space or other technology sector. In 2023, up to £150,000 of grant funding will be available for space sector organisations seeking to host interns, more than ever before, with the with the intention of brokering a record number of intern placements. The UKSA seeks to expand the SPIN Programme further in 2024 and 2025.