UK space sector needs engineers from other industries to tackle skills shortage

The UK Space sector will only be able to capitalise on new investment if employers can source engineers from other industries in order to plug gaps in their workforces, an engineering consultancy has said.

Image web_group-people-mission-control-center-witness_Credit_Gorodenkoff_shutterstock_2010344528_1600x900

According to Engineering by Murray, the sector is currently facing “a backdrop of deepening skills shortages”. 

The recently announced £16m UK Space Agency investment – which is part of a broader four-year, £160m package – could be ineffective unless solutions are found to tackle the skills crisis, it added.

The funding is designed to position the UK at the forefront of the latest advancements in satellite communications and enable organisations to capture a greater portion of the global mega-constellation market by developing technology that improves efficiency and capability.

But, Engineering by Murray has warned that investment programmes could be ineffective without a renewed focus on finding specialist skills, with many employers struggling to source engineers. 

A report from 2023 by the Space Skills Alliance revealed a 72% gap in expertise in fields including AI, machine learning, data analysis and electronic engineering, which has likely worsened following continued growth in the sector. The specialist employment consultancy has advised employers in the space supply chain to think creatively, and to look to other markets in order to identify and recruit engineers.

“The continued investment into the industry is great news and represents a significant opportunity for the UK to assume a key role in the long-term future of the satellite communication market,” said Chris Nelson, associate director at Engineering by Murray.

“However, we know from our relationships with leading employers that the majority are struggling to find engineering skills, particularly in some of the newer or more specialised areas, like AI, machine learning and embedded software and electronics.

Identifying these people has to be the priority for employers; without them, many of the projects earmarked for the coming years will not be deliverable.”

“While some roles do require space-specific expertise, there are also many where employers would be better served looking to parallel industries, like defence or marine, for expertise. The UK space sector is still in its relative infancy, and expecting it to have a fully developed and independent talent market is unrealistic. But space employers can learn from organisations in other niche disciplines, and look to fields where skills requirements and expertise do overlap, as the existing talent pool isn’t large enough to meet the demand.”