Space Placements Industry Spin FAQs
What is SPIN?
The Space Placements in INdustry seeks to provide project placements within companies and research organisations for those wishing to undertake a short-term placement within the space sector. It is recognised that all high tech industry sectors need STEM graduates in order to grow their business areas, and the space sector is no different. Through SPIN, the sector is ensuring that the brightest and best people are encouraged to focus their attention on space for their careers.
Employer Benefits
- Carry out a piece of work or project that you otherwise would not have time for
- Identify potential employees for the future
- ‘Try before you buy’ and save your company significant recruitment costs
- Be part of the feedback loop to universities on the skills you would like to see in your employees of the future
- Influence the future choices the candidate will make
SPINtern Benefits
- A paid work placement that will give you a very tangible experience to add to your CV
- Unique induction event which will give you a perspective of the active and vibrant space sector in the UK
- Showcase event which will enable you to promote yourself and the skills you’ve learnt to a wider community of potential employers
- Learn first-hand the skills that employers really want
- All SPINterns hosted by companies new to the scheme will be visited by a manager of the SPIN scheme during their placements, and all students are encouraged to engage with the scheme manager throughout and after their placement.
For Employers, what happens?
- Employers identify and scope a project, with pertinent information
- Send it to the SPIN office
- SPIN will advertise it for 4 weeks, inviting those eligible to apply through an online form with CV
- SPIN will collate all applications before delivering them to the host employer
- Host selects potential candidate(s) using usual methods, and agrees terms directly with the SPINtern. Hosts should inform all unsuccessful candidates within 2 weeks.
- Projects should run for 8 weeks at a mutually agreed time, and we strongly encourage the host to attend the Induction Day with their SPINtern in July 2019.
- You should ensure that the poster and presentation that the SPINtern prepares and produces with your support, for the Showcase Event in July 2019, is compliant with your own objectives.
What is a “Project”?
Eligibility
The scheme is open to individuals who are enthusiastic about working in the space industry. Whilst Aerospace Engineering or Physics are key topics to the ‘upstream’ sector, Electronic, Mechanical and Systems Engineering are also important; numerate and computer-savvy natural scientists and geographers are sought after in the ‘downstream’ or ‘satellite-enabled’ sectors, and all organisations will require people with business related skills. All applicants for Autumn placements must be registered PhD or MSc students or recent graduates (2017, 2018). You should also be aware that most organisations will not be in a position to support visa applications for short-term workers. If you are in any doubt as to whether you will require a visa, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration website. We are unable to facilitate this.
How long should placements be?
When should the project be carried out?
Autumn SPIN scheme
Over a mutually convenient period to be completed by 28 February, 2019 – it need not be continuous – as long as it works for both of you. In special circumstances, projects may be made available at different times of the year.
Summer SPIN Scheme
To start on or as close to the Induction Showcase Day in July 2019 as long as it works for both of you. In special circumstances, projects may be made available at different times of the year
What dates must the student and supervisor be present?
We will offer a combined Induction/Showcase Day, when students will prepare a short ‘poster’ report of their project and present a 2-minute elevator pitch. This will be held during the UK Space Conference at Newport, in July 2019. We strongly encourage both SPINterns and Hosts to participate as the skills and outcomes they will be able to demonstrate are highly sought after by employers. For Summer SPINterns there will be a separate Showcase Event, details to be confirmed
Will the SPINterns be paid?
Is there any funding available to support companies?
What is the SPIN Showcase?
The SPIN Showcase is an opportunity for the SPINterns to demonstrate the work that they have carried out during their placement. They will present a short ‘soap box’ presentation which will be followed by a poster exhibition. The event will be held during the UK Space Conference in July 2019. All SPINterns, with the support and agreement of their supervisors, are asked to produce a poster describing their work during their placement. If the work they are carrying out is sensitive, please contact Kathie Bowden so that a contingency plan can be put in place, although they would still be expected to describe the work in broad terms. This poster should be completed and produced during the placement, and where necessary, financially supported by the host, either in the form of providing materials, printing or related costs. The Showcase will be followed by a careers event.
Intellectual Property
Health and Safety
Support Visits
Review
All host employers are asked to provide the successful candidate with an informal review at the end of their placement, with advice on how they could improve their CV, and a reference for their CV if requested.
SPIN Office
The UK Space Agency
c/o The Satellite Applications Catapult
Electron Building
Fermi Avenue
Harwell Campus
OX11 0QR
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