UK space industry recruitment drive lifts off
Image courtesy AstroAgency
SpaceCareers.uk has received support from the UK Space Agency’s 'Space for All' fund to spearhead an initiative named ‘UK Space 101’, focused on showcasing the accessibility of space jobs to school students, as well as highlighting the need for a diverse range of skills from people currently working outside of the space sector.
The team, managed by a young group of space enthusiasts, launched its services on the same day in 2015 that astronaut Tim Peake blasted off to the International Space Station (ISS).
According to the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry report published during the Farnborough Airshow this year, there is currently a workforce of more than 50,000 supporting around 1,800 space companies active across the United Kingdom, representing an £18.9 billion contribution to the economy.
With a National Space Strategy in place since 2021 and strong desire from across the country to capitalise on the fast-growing global space economy, non-profit SpaceCareers.uk is positioning itself as a gateway into the industry. The company’s mission is to highlight the range of jobs available, and to provide support to both candidates looking for a job and employers seeking diverse talent.
SpaceCareers.uk Director Joanne Oliver said: “SpaceCareers.uk was established to address the industry’s skills shortages by attracting a diverse range of people into the sector, from engineers and scientists to lawyers and sales specialists.
"The UK Space 101 project has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders across the sector to address current outreach challenges and is something that will act as a tool for teachers, parents and jobseekers to learn more about the industry and the role of space in our everyday lives.
“Our message is simple - no matter your background and interests, there's a place for you in the UK space sector.”
The UK Space 101 initiative consists of a suite of interactive digital resources, including a webpage and downloadable poster that explains the growing role of the space sector in our everyday lives and the different ways that people from all walks of life are finding roles within the industry. When arriving on the page, visitors are met with a simple interface and easy-to-understand messaging, answering questions such as 'how do we use space?' and 'what is the path to a career in space?'. It is intended that the resource will also be useful for space professionals as part of their educational outreach activities, to help signpost interested individuals towards a starting point to learn more about the space sector.
Ingmar Kamalagharan, Head of Education and Future Workforce at the UK Space Agency said: “Our Space for All fund is backing projects like #UKSpace101 to make the space sector even more accessible to young people across the UK. By showcasing the wide variety of space career opportunities available with SpaceCareers.uk, we want to support and inform anyone interested in pursuing a space career.
“This is a fast-growing and vibrant industry, from advancing our knowledge of the universe to providing critical services for life on Earth and it needs a strong and diverse pipeline of future talent. I would urge anyone interested in a space career to check out the resources on SpaceCareers.uk.”
Following a series of workshops with space organisations and engagement across educational representatives and the wider public at New Scientist Live, #UKSpace101 is now available to access without cost at spacecareers.uk/uk-space-101. The company works closely with student-led charity UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) and is actively seeking to engage with educational bodies, libraries, schools, colleges, universities and job centres to raise awareness in space careers across the UK.
