Skills and Workforce Development - Satellite Applications Catapult

Skills and Workforce Development

Empowering the UK space sector with the skills to thrive

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Introduction
Projects & Programmes
Resources

Skills & Workforce Development at the Catapult

We help the UK’s space sector reach its full potential by finding solutions to skills and workforce challenges. At the Satellite Applications Catapult, we:

  • Facilitate and develop a diverse pipeline of skilled talent to support the industry’s growth
  • Anticipate and plan for future workforce needs though workforce foresighting
  • Connect government, industry, and academia to shape and influence policy
  • Inspire and engage the next generations, making space more accessible
  • Create new routes and opportunities for people of all ages and career stages to enter the sector

Projects and Programmes

Scroll to explore who we work with

Skills Advocacy

Workforce Development

SPIN Programme

Skills and Outreach

Skills Advocacy

Changing the Skills Landscape for Space

We act on multiple advisory boards and working groups to drive change for the sector, using our platform to advise and engage with decision-makers across the political landscape.

  • We are an active member of the Space Skills Advisory Panel, bringing together industry, academia, and government to address skills issues collaboratively.
  • We voice the needs of the UK space sector to encourage targeted and effective interventions.
  • Skills challenges are now embedded in government action plans, including the Modern Industrial Strategy and the Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Technologies Sector Plans

Explore more resources:

Workforce Development

Preparing the Space Workforce

We use Workforce Foresighting to identify the skills our sector will need 2–5 years in the future, allowing us to address gaps before they emerge.

  • Workforce Development & Foresighting: Analysing sector trends to guide education, training, and policy.
  • Creating accessible pathways for new entrants while supporting career progression for existing professionals.
Discover more about Workforce Development & Foresighting

SPIN Programme (Space Placements in Industry)

The SPIN Programme gives students and early-career professionals the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the UK space sector through short-term placements.

  • Connects emerging talent with innovative organisations.
  • Builds industry-relevant skills and networks.
  • Supports employers in developing future recruits.
Find out more about SPIN programme

Skills and Outreach

Inspiring the Next Generation

We support and facilitate STEM and outreach activities to engage young people and inspire them to consider careers in the space sector.

  • We collaborate with organisations, charities, and businesses to provide insight, build connections, and maximise the impact of early engagement.
  • Our outreach helps change perceptions about space careers, making the sector more inclusive and accessible.

Useful Resources for Students and Career Explorers

Podcasts

In-Orbit: Navigating the Skills Gap

As technology advances at a rapid pace, the demand for highly skilled professionals in the space sector has never been greater. From engineers and technicians to data scientists and project managers, the industry is facing a pressing need for a new generation of talent equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. But bridging this gap is no small feat.

Listen Now
A woman presents "Strategic Storytelling for Tomorrow's Technologies" to an audience in a modern classroom.
Woman presenting a scientific poster to another person at a conference, pointing at a chart on the poster.
A woman poses with her face in a cardboard astronaut cutout at a tech expo booth.
A woman presents to a seated audience in a modern conference room with a large screen displaying SPRInduction 2024.
People in business attire interact and view posters at a busy conference or exhibition hall.
A woman presents "SPINduction 2025" to an audience in a conference room with a large screen behind her.
People gather at an exhibition with booths and banners, including one for SPIN Space Placements in Industry.