Lift off for new course as part of £2.1M funding to address skills gap in UK space sector

A new project, led by the University of Portsmouth, has launched to help companies overcome the skills gap in software, data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the space sector.

The Securing the future of space: Space Software and Data/AI CPD programme is one of five new projects, worth £2.1m, announced by UK Space Agency to break down barriers to opportunities within this fast-growing, high-tech sector.  

The course, delivered by experts from the Space South Central partnership of universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Surrey, will equip mid-career professionals with the expertise needed to strategically navigate the rapidly changing fields of AI and data-science. 

Dr Becky Canning, Deputy Director (Space) at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, said: “Software, data, and AI development proceeds at such a rate that remaining at the forefront of the sector is challenging, yet these digital skills are critical to drive innovation and meet the objectives of the National Space Strategy. 

“We recognise the importance of working closely with the sector to design bespoke, broad, and corporate strategy concepts to include in the course, ensuring that participants not only acquire technical proficiency, but also develop a deep understanding of the strategic implications of these technologies for their organisations.”

The 2023 Space Sector Skills Survey noted that the number one skills gap in the space sector is ‘Software and Data’, with a 72 per cent gap. Employers predict that the future will bring even greater challenges. ‘Artificial intelligence and machine learning’ and ‘data analysis and modelling’ are the only technical skills of the top 15 skills gaps in the current workforce which have worsened, alongside ‘strategy and leadership’.

With support from industry experts at Orange Tree Ltd, the course will provide participants with comprehensive training in digital space and AI technologies. They will also learn how to structure and respond to space-related funding opportunities. Through a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and mentoring opportunities, attendees will gain the skills necessary to progress in this ever-evolving digital field. 

The course is aimed at employees already in the space sector who are looking for promotion and to fulfil critical employer gaps, as well as professionals outside the sector, particularly from the military, engineering, defence and maritime industries, who want to direct their talent towards the fast-growing space industry.

Dr Louise Butt, Director of the Space South Central regional space cluster, said: “Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight have a stellar 50-year heritage of space innovation and expertise, and the range of specialisms here is unrivalled anywhere in the UK. Yet, skills gaps, shortages and recruitment challenges are the biggest threats to South Central England’s £3 billion space sector.

“Our mission at Space South Central is to ensure that our region stays at the forefront of the UK space industry, and a significant part of that is supporting the development of training opportunities and helping employers of all sizes attract and retain the staff they need. By fostering collaboration between education providers and industry, we are making it easier for appropriate training to be developed that responds directly to business needs and enables talent to thrive.”

Hugh Lewis, Professor of Astronautics at the University of Southampton, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to work with our colleagues in the South Central region to support the career development of professionals in the space sector and to guide them through a complex and ever-evolving landscape of data from space and about space. 

“These data are vital for understanding our planet and the health of the satellites that deliver essential functions for our communities. We’re able to build on more than 60 years of education and training delivered through the space-related programmes and short courses offered by the University of Southampton to ensure this new training programme delivers the skills needed in an effective and enjoyable way.”

Keith Ryden, Professor of Space Engineering at the University of Surrey, Guildford, and Director of the Surrey Space Centre said: “We are delighted to be joining this new UKSA-funded initiative to address the growing industry requirement for more skilled people to work on data and software for space applications. We look forward to contributing through our strengths in remote sensing data analysis, on-board data processing and space data security and working closely with colleagues at the universities of Portsmouth and Southampton in this exciting initiative.”

Whether you’re a space sector company looking to upskill your employees or an individual from any sector seeking training to take the next exciting step in your career, register your interest by contacting Dan Smith: dan.smith@port.ac.uk