New courses boost for UK space sector skills

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New apprenticeship and training courses to support the UK space sector are set for launch by MTC Training, the training division of the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

The new MTC Training course will support the UK's rapidly growing space sector
The new MTC Training course will support the UK's rapidly growing space sector - MTC Training

The courses will include a new Level 4 space technician apprenticeship, a graduate development programme and a series of courses to upskill space engineers.

The new programmes are designed to boost the UK's skills and capabilities in the space sector, which is forecast to be worth £450bn by 2030. MTC Training said the courses will accelerate industrial innovation among space-focused organisations and manufacturers with the aim of boosting productivity and driving growth.

In a statement, Emma Johnstone, operations manager at MTC Training, said: "Space presents a significant opportunity for manufacturing companies in the UK. These courses will underpin the advances being made by UK manufacturers, creating a pipeline of future-proof engineers ready to understand and take advantage of the immense opportunities that space technology offers, and equipped with the right technological tools to address the challenge of producing the next generation of space hardware."

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Launching in September 2023, the new space technician apprenticeship will provide hands-on, space-specific experience supporting future talent in the space sector. Delivered from the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) training centre in Abingdon, the 48-month course aims to create the sector's future lead engineers.

Also delivered at OAS, the graduate development space programme is designed to support engineering graduates who are new to the space industry or are considering a move into the space sector. It will provide practical experience with specialist space equipment in skills such as additive manufacturing in space, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and space standards.

The space-specific development courses are designed to support rapid cross-sector skills development and the upskilling of space engineers, covering subjects including satellite manufacturing, spacecraft platform systems and design, plus the effects of space environments and environment testing for space.

space sector skills