Hull College will host a conference on October 8 dedicated to addressing the training needs of the growing space industry. The event aims to unite experts from educational institutions, the space sector, and broader industry leadership.
According to a college spokesperson, discussions will center on the technical skills required over the next five to ten years and strategies for cultivating a more inclusive workforce.
Debra Gray, principal of Hull College, emphasized that public perception of the space industry often overshadows the extensive support roles required. “When people hear ‘space’, they still tend to think of astronauts, scientists and rockets. But there is a much bigger workforce beneath that – the people who will build, operate, maintain and support the technology and infrastructure the sector needs,” she said.
Gray noted that while there is significant ambition regarding the expansion of the UK space sector, realizing those goals depends on having a skilled workforce capable of execution. She added that further education institutions possess the necessary scale, reach, and technical expertise to make a substantial impact.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and we want to make sure people from every background can see that there could be a place for them in this industry,” Gray stated.
The event, titled “Workforce Beneath the Satellites: Building the UK’s Space Workforce Together,” takes place during World Space Week.
Is Hull really the hub for this? I would have expected Edinburgh or Bristol to take the lead on space sector skills.
Finally, someone highlighting the trade roles. We need more engineers and technicians, not just rocket scientists.