The Government of United Kingdom‘s Space Agency has launched a new nationwide program designed to give students their launchpad into the space sector through structured internships with the space industry, the agency announced in a statement. The initiative comes as the sector faces significant recruitment challenges. According to the most recent Space Skills Survey, 80 percent of space organizations faced recruitment difficulties—up from 61 percent in 2020. More than half of organizations reported skills gaps in their current workforce, with 61 percent identifying gaps in job applicants.
Skills for Space will offer placements across a range of disciplines and locations, providing participants with practical experience in one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries. “The UK space sector is growing rapidly, and we need talented, diverse people to help us seize the opportunities ahead,” said Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “Skills for Space will give young people from all backgrounds the chance to gain real-world experience and develop the skills our industry needs.”
Running for eight weeks in July and August 2026, the program provides undergraduates and Further Education students with hands-on experience of real-world projects that contribute directly to the UK space economy. Skills for Space is a strategic investment in the UK’s future workforce, helping close critical skills gaps in engineering, software, data science, and professional competencies while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
“The space sector employs people from a variety of backgrounds in diverse roles across the whole of the country—but it is not always easy for students to realize that there are exciting opportunities open to them,” said Ben Stern, UKspace Vice Chair and Chair of the Space Skills Advisory Panel. “This scheme will help to raise awareness of the fantastic roles available in the UK space sector and break down barriers to entry.”
Applications for internship candidates are now open, with placements being announced in May. The UK space sector already employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6 billion for the economy. Through this initiative, the UK Space Agency is strengthening the talent pipeline, supporting SMEs and larger organizations, and driving innovation and growth across the UK space sector.
