UK Space Agency Launches Programme to Boost Industry Skills
•February 10, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
UK Space Agency
Why It Matters
By directly tackling the acute skills shortage, the programme strengthens the UK’s competitive edge in a sector the government deems critical for future economic growth.
Key Takeaways
- •50 paid internships launched across UK space sector
- •Recruitment difficulties rose to 80% among space firms
- •Program targets undergraduates and further education students
- •Eight‑week placements start July, offering real project experience
- •Goal: build innovative, inclusive UK space workforce
Pulse Analysis
The United Kingdom’s space industry is on a rapid expansion trajectory, buoyed by government ambition to become a global hub for satellite manufacturing, launch services, and data analytics. Yet, a chronic talent shortfall threatens to bottleneck that growth, with the latest Space Skills Survey revealing that eight in ten firms struggle to fill vacancies—a steep climb from 61% in 2020. This skills gap is not merely a recruitment headache; it hampers innovation cycles, delays project timelines, and erodes the sector’s ability to attract foreign investment.
The Skills for Space programme directly addresses this challenge by delivering 50 paid internships that run for eight weeks starting in July. Targeting undergraduates and further‑education students, the placements embed participants in real‑world projects, from satellite design to mission operations, giving them a tangible entry point into the industry. For employers, the scheme offers a low‑risk talent‑testing ground, allowing companies to assess capabilities and cultural fit before committing to permanent hires. Early data from similar initiatives suggest that up to 60% of interns transition into full‑time roles, accelerating workforce readiness while reducing recruitment costs.
Beyond immediate hiring needs, the initiative signals a broader commitment to building an inclusive, future‑proof talent pipeline. By opening doors to diverse backgrounds, the programme aligns with the UK’s strategic goal of fostering a workforce that reflects the population it serves, thereby driving creativity and resilience. In the long run, a robust skills ecosystem will underpin the nation’s aspirations to lead in space exploration, commercial launch services, and downstream applications, reinforcing the UK’s position in the global space economy.
UK Space Agency launches programme to boost industry skills
The UK Space Agency has launched a new internship programme aiming to increase industry skills and create a youth launchpad into the sector.
The Skills for Space programme will kick off with an initial 50 paid placements across the UK space sector to give students an entry point into an industry highlighted by the government as critical for the future.
The latest government-commissioned Space Skills Survey recently revealed that 80% of space organisations faced recruitment difficulties, a significant increase from the already concerning 61% from 2020.
“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,” said UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Paul Bate.
“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 programme will run for eight weeks starting in July and will provide undergraduates and further education students with experience on real projects in the space sector.
“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 Ben Stern, UKspace vice chair and chair of the Space Skills Advisory Panel.
“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. We welcome the UK Space Agency’s support through this new scheme.”
The post UK Space Agency launches programme to boost industry skills appeared first on UKTN.
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