The space sector is growing rapidly in the UK and could
kick-start an additional 30,000 new job opportunities
over the next decade.
Kathie Bowden, lead for Skills and Careers at the UK
Space Agency, said:
The SPIN placements allow students to influence their
own learning choices, providing them with an
environment where they can showcase their skills and
abilities to a range of employers.
The versatility of the space sector in this current
climate means that the interns won’t be disadvantaged
this summer and will still be able to add valuable
experience to their CVs.
Klara Halikova, an ecological and environmental science
student at the University of Edinburgh, is on a
placement with forestry and environmental monitoring
company, 2Excel Geo. She said:
Big data and remote sensing are an up-and-coming
field for an environmental scientist. Throughout my
degree I was not given the opportunity to explore
them as much as I would have liked.
This placement is allowing me to catch up with the
industry allowing me to push ahead in my field.
The majority of placements are being adapted to start
remotely. Placements which demand a physical presence
in labs or cleanrooms have been made as flexible as
possible with start dates delayed. Host companies are
keeping an eye on the latest advice to adapt as changes
occur.
Henry Franks is studying engineering at the University
of Cambridge and is on a placement with Magdrive. Mark
Stokes, Cofounder of Magdrive, explained:
We had a few ideas beforehand of having an on-hand
intern technician, but when it became apparent that
homeworking would be an ongoing way of working we
decided we should focus on an area of research which
could be done remotely.
Having Henry with us for eight weeks working solely
on research and development means we can utilise his
specific skill set. He can dedicate the time we would
not have to a project which will shape our offer to
clients, and the direction the business will take.
Forty-two internships will be funded by the UK Space
Agency’s Education and Space Flight Programmes this
summer. A further eleven SPINternships are hosted and
funded by organisations including the Satellite
Applications Catapult, Quotient, an SME based in
Edinburgh and the Open University.
The UK space sector is growing. Small satellite launch
from the UK presents a huge opportunity for young
people to take up careers in science, engineering or
even as space entrepreneurs – helping to ensure the
ongoing growth of the UK’s space industry.
The 53 applicants will participate in a virtual space
sector induction in July and a Showcase of their work
in the autumn.
