Workforce Development & Foresighting
Anticipating the skills of tomorrow to unlock the UK space sector’s future growth
What is Workforce Foresighting?
Workforce development looks ahead to identify skills challenges early and approach them proactively.
By anticipating the skills required to support the UK space sector, we can address gaps before they emerge and unlock the potential for growth.
Unlike traditional workforce forecasting, which focuses on headcount, foresighting is skills‑based. It identifies the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that the future workforce will need to succeed—ensuring our sector is ready to reach its goals.
Through the Workforce Foresighting Hub, funded by Innovate UK, we:
- Run cycles of workshops with industry, academia, and training providers.
- Identify gaps between current training (apprenticeships, degrees, and CPD) and the skills needed for future growth.
- Provide recommendations to influence policy, course design, and industry standards.
- Highlight transferable skills from other sectors to target career changers and improve upskilling pathways for the existing workforce.
Our foresighting work focuses on technology areas 2–5 years ahead of market demand, giving the sector a data‑driven foundation to tackle future skills needs and support the growth of the UK economy.
Explore Our Reports
We collaborate with other Catapults to produce foresighting reports that connect insights across multiple industries.
Get Involved: Future Foresighting Cycles
Why participate?
The global technology landscape is evolving rapidly, and the UK’s ability to capitalise on these opportunities depends on an adaptable, highly skilled workforce.
- Address skills gaps before they impact growth.
- Shape education and training pathways for future needs.
- Position your organisation as a future ready industry leader.
We invite you to join our upcoming foresighting cycles to help develop the workforce of tomorrow.
Upcoming Cycles
Intelligent Autonomous Robotics Systems and Simulation for Proximity Operations in Space
Starting October 2025
The safe execution of proximity operations—such as satellite servicing, inspection, debris removal, or in‑orbit assembly—requires a new generation of autonomous robotic systems operating in unpredictable space environments.
This foresighting cycle will focus on:
- Autonomous control architectures and multi‑agent collaboration.
- Fault tolerant and software driven decision making under uncertainty.
- Simulation technologies, including digital twins, physics based modelling, and hardware in the loop testing.
The insights will define converging skillsets across robotics, AI/ML, software defined autonomy, and systems integration to ensure the UK remains a global leader in intelligent space robotics and ISAM operations.
Resilient PNT: Building Robust Future Systems
Starting November 2025
This cycle will explore alternative and complementary technologies to strengthen UK PNT capabilities, including:
- eLoran and 5G time synchronisation for terrestrial resilience.
- Parallel solutions to augment GNSS and protect against vulnerabilities.
- Development of future GNSS constellations for additional security and reliability.
Skills foresighting in this area will focus on sovereign capability development and training to support a robust, resilient PNT ecosystem.