£2.1m to narrow South Central England space tech skills gap
A new project led by the universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Surrey will break down barriers to opportunities in software, data and artificial intelligence.
In total, five initiatives have been launched, including Securing the Future of Space: Space Software and Data/ Artificial Intelligence [AI] CPD.
The combined value of all programmes is £2.1million, with the UK Space Agency overseeing administration. Experts from Space South Central, Britain’s largest regional space tech cluster, will deliver the new course, which is aimed at mid-career professionals who want to strategically navigate the rapidly developing AI and data-science sectors.
‘Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight have a stellar 50-year heritage of space innovation and expertise, and the range of specialisms here is unrivalled anywhere in the UK,’ said Dr Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central. ‘Yet, skills gaps, shortages and recruitment challenges are the biggest threats to South Central England’s £3 billion space sector.’
‘Our mission at Space South Central is to ensure that our region stays at the forefront of the UK space industry, and a significant part of that is supporting the development of training opportunities and helping employers of all sizes attract and retain the staff they need,’ she continued. ‘By fostering collaboration between education providers and industry, we are making it easier for appropriate training to be developed that responds directly to business needs and enables talent to thrive.’
The launch of the course is partly in response to the 2023 Space Sector Skills Survey, which found the widest skills shortage in space and space-aligned industries was Software and Data. A 72% skills gap was identified, with AI and Machine Learning, Software & Data, and Strategy and Leaderships the only technical skills in the top 15 skills gaps that are worsening.
The new course will deliver comprehensive training in digital space and AI, and include sections on structuring and responding to funding opportunities. Lectures, practical exercises, and mentoring will all factor.
‘Software, data, and AI development proceeds at such a rate that remaining at the forefront of the sector is challenging, yet these digital skills are critical to drive innovation and meet the objectives of the National Space Strategy,’ said Dr Becky Canning, Deputy Directory (Space) at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute for Cosmology and Gravitation.
‘We recognise the importance of working closely with the sector to design bespoke, broad, and corporate strategy concepts to include in the course, ensuring that participants not only acquire technical proficiency, but also develop a deep understanding of the strategic implications of these technologies for their organisations,’ she continued.
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Image: Cosmic Timetraveler
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