Space Park Leicester to lead key skills development discussion at Ignite Space 2025
Professor Nigel Bannister, Deputy Director of Space Park Leicester
Space Park Leicester is excited to announce its participation at the Ignite Space conference and exhibition, taking place at the National Space Centre in Leicester on February 5-6, 2025.
This event serves as a crucial platform for innovation and collaboration within the UK space sector, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and researchers to drive growth and unlock new opportunities.
Ignite Space 2025 will highlight the strength and economic impact of the UK’s space industry, which now contributes over £17.5 billion to the economy. The event will focus on fostering connections and accelerating advancements across the sector, with an emphasis on addressing challenges that could hold back growth, including the demand for a highly skilled workforce.
Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park, will play an active role in tackling this key issue through its main-stage session, where experts will address the pressing skills shortage facing the UK space sector.
As recent studies, including the UK Space Sector Skills Survey 2023, have shown, skills gaps and recruitment challenges pose barriers to innovation and productivity. This session will explore pathways to create a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring that the space industry has the skilled workforce it needs to continue thriving.
Survey authors, The Space Skills Alliance, are experts in space, skills, training and recruitment and help employers, policy makers, and training providers to tackle the space skills gap by offering data, tools, and advice.
They are also the creators of the Space Skills Road Map 2030 – 26 recommendations to tackle the space skills gap over the next five years.
Nigel Bannister, Deputy Director of Space Park Leicester, said: “As the UK space sector expands, we must address the skills gap that risks slowing down our progress.
“At Ignite Space, we’ll be discussing concrete steps to bridge these gaps, from training programmes to initiatives that reach young people and inspire them to consider careers in space.
“Space Park Leicester is dedicated to building a workforce that not only meets today’s needs but is prepared to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”
The session will highlight Space Park Leicester’s work with the UK Space Agency and other partners to develop targeted training programmes and upskilling initiatives.
These efforts include the Fundamentals of Space CPD programme and other UKSA-funded initiatives, all designed to cultivate talent and address skills shortages.
Space Park Leicester’s approach emphasises collaboration, drawing on expertise in Spacecraft Engineering and Operations to provide real-world learning and development opportunities.
Beyond the skills session, Space Park Leicester will showcase its latest projects and initiatives, inviting attendees to connect and explore potential partnerships that contribute to the sector’s success.