The UK Space Agency is launching Skills for Space, a new
internship programme offering 50 paid placements across the UK
space sector to give young people hands-on experience and
industry exposure.
The new programme is a UK-wide initiative designed to give
students their launchpad into the space sector through structured
internships with the space industry.
The initiative comes as the sector faces significant recruitment
challenges. According to the most recent Space Skills Survey, 80%
of space organisations faced recruitment difficulties – up from
61% in 2020. More than half of organisations reported skills gaps
in their current workforce, with 61% identifying gaps in job
applicants. Nearly every organisation surveyed (95%) reported
experiencing skills-related challenges.
Skills for Space will offer placements across a range of
disciplines and locations, providing participants with practical
experience in one of the UK's fastest-growing industries.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
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.
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.
Running for eight weeks in July and August 2026, the programme
provides undergraduates and Further Education students with
hands-on experience of real-world projects that contribute
directly to the UK space economy.
Skills for Space is a strategic investment in the UK's future
workforce. By embedding practical skills and industry exposure,
the programme helps close critical skills gaps in engineering,
software, data science and professional competencies, while
promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
Ben Stern, UKspace Vice Chair and Chair of the Space
Skills Advisory Panel said:
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.
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.
Applications for internship candidates are now open, with
placements being announced in May.
For more information about the UK Space Agency Skills for
Space Internship Programme, visit the
application page.
The UK space sector already employs more than 55,000 people and
generates £18.6 billion for the economy. Internships are one of
many routes into a space career. The sector offers opportunities
through apprenticeships, graduate schemes and direct entry roles
across a range of areas.
Through this initiative, the UK Space Agency is strengthening the
talent pipeline, supporting SMEs and larger organisations, and
driving innovation and growth across the UK space sector –
ensuring the UK remains globally competitive and
inclusive.
