National Space Sector Skills Survey launches today

The UK Space Agency has launched a new survey to understand the skills needs, recruitment and retention practices, and challenges faced by companies operating in the UK space sector.

The survey aims to address the growing skills gap in the sector and provide valuable insights to shape future policy.

Despite the impacts of COVID, Brexit, and the cost of living crisis, the latest Size and Health report showed that the UK space sector is resilient, with employment in the sector continuing to grow. However, almost half of the companies surveyed identified recruitment as a significant barrier to growth.

The Space Sector Skills Survey is open to any organisation that uses space as part of their day-to-day operations, including companies that build and launch satellites, use Earth observation data, or build software for the space sector. By completing the survey, organisations will have the opportunity to provide valuable insights into their recruitment and training practices and the skills they require now and in the future.

The results will help the sector to identify the skills gaps and address them through tailored policies and programs. They will also inform the Space Skills Advisory Panel’s upcoming Space Workforce Action Plan.

The survey is now open and can be accessed at survey.spaceskills.org. The deadline for responses is 2nd June, but early responses are encouraged. The UK Space Agency encourages all organisations operating in the UK space sector to participate and contribute to shaping the future of the industry.

Responding to the launch of the survey, UK Space Agency CEO Paul Bate said:

The UK is a world leader in the space sector, but we must ensure that we have the skilled workforce to maintain this position. The Space Sector Skills Survey will help us to identify the skills gaps and shape policies that will support the growth of the industry. I urge all companies in the sector to respond and share their valuable insights.

The survey is being carried out by Space Skills Alliance, who delivered the 2020 Space Census, and know.space, who delivered Size & Health of the UK Space Industry 2022.