The SPIN Programme: 2022
Marketing
The Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) scheme provides placement opportunities for those considering employment in the space sector and connects space sector organisations who want to find the most talented and enthusiastic people to ensure the future success of their businesses. The scheme is managed by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and supported by the Satellite Applications Catapult.
SPIN has been running since 2013 and continues to grow in popularity. Its 9th year, in 2022, saw the largest cohort of SPINterns to-date. In 2022 there were a total of 72 SPINterns, made up of 42 funded by UKSA and 30 funded directly by UK space businesses.
“Since its launch the programme has seen a huge expansion in size and funding, and this has transformed the experience that young people seeking to enter the space sector now arrive with. The most telling statistic is that of those students who participate in space work placements, 30% will be offered a job before they complete the placement, 30% will be offered a job by a space company when they graduate and 30% will continue to further studies in space or tech followed by jobs in related sectors.”
Kathie Bowden, Policy Adviser at the UK Space Agency and creator of the SPIN Programme
“Talented people are needed to support the rapid growth in the space sector. The SPIN programme helps us to highlight the vast range of opportunities available across the space sector and to provide an insight into the different career paths available in space SMEs and large businesses. The programme encourages not only people with space related skills but those from other disciplines to apply their knowledge and get stuck into challenging space-related projects”
Nafeesa Dajda – Director for National Capability at the Satellite Applications Catapult
“The SPIN Programme gives the Geospatial Intelligence team at the Catapult the unique opportunity to share our expertise and knowledge about the sector, giving them hands-on experience with the latest technologies and a commercial context to their studies. In turn, the SPINterns bring new perspectives, an infectious passion for the industry, and give invaluable support to our live projects and research.”
Sarah Cheesbrough – Earth Observation Consultant at the Satellite Applications Catapult – Sarah has been a direct supervisor to 3 students and has supported a further 8 during their placements
“Orbex is delighted to be able to participate in the SPIN programme. The scheme has helped us to advertise our placements and appeal to talented individuals that are considering a career in the space sector. Our business benefits greatly from the knowledge and enthusiasm that our interns bring.”
Samantha Fraser, HR Manager at Orbex
“During my SPINternship I worked for the Satellite Applications Catapult to develop an IoT solution for the Agri Living Lab and I gained experience using specialist off the shelf IoT equipment with an Arduino style language. I also gained exposure into the wider work the Ubiquitous Connectivity team which was brilliant to understand what the Satellite Applications Catapult do outside of my project.”
Harry Hancock, SPIN Intern 2022
SPIN 2022 is set to demonstrate its success on 29 November 2022 when the UKSA and the Satellite Applications Catapult will host the SPIN Showcase 2022 in Leeds. At this event, SPINterns will have the opportunity to share posters detailing the work they conducted during their placements and give short talks about their placements. If you would like to participate, please register here. Furthermore, the posters the SPINterns have created are located on the SPIN webpage.
The SPIN scheme is set to continue in Spring 2023 but currently there are no more live opportunities through the programme available at this time. However, please refer to the SPIN webpages for links to opportunities with other organisations.
For more information about the SPIN scheme please contact temi.shogelola2@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.
