YOUNG people will soon be able to sign up for the South West’s very first space apprenticeship – one of a range of courses which are being developed to support Cornwall’s £1billion Space and Aerospace sector.

News of the apprenticeship came at a launch event for Truro and Penwith College’s new Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training (CSATT). Representatives of 60 businesses also had a tour of the College’s new £7 million ‘Valency’ building, the centre where the training will be delivered.

There will now be ongoing consultation with employers operating in the Space and Aerospace sector to help shape training content, and ensure maximum impact for local industry.

Truro and Penwith College aims to be the second provider in the UK to offer the new university level apprenticeship at level 4, with potential for learners to study additional qualifications that will take their training up to a level 5 HNC in Space Engineering.

With sufficient demand from employers, the first apprentices could start in September 2022 and will be involved in the design and production of satellites, components and subsystems along with the production, operation and maintenance of highly specialised ground support equipment that is used to develop and test satellites before launch.

Training development is supported by sector experts Goonhilly Earth Station, Spaceport Cornwall and Aerospace Cornwall, with further support from the University of Exeter, University of Leicester, and the Open University. The event also saw employers take part in ‘skills discussions’ around the content of a range of new short courses that the College is introducing in September 2021.

Through the CSATT project, employers will access the first pilot short courses for free with subjects including Space Law, Monetising Space Data, Leadership and Management in Space and Aerospace, and Welding for Space Applications, along with support sessions to help businesses access UK and European Space Agency funding.

The skills developed will directly support live projects such as Spaceport Cornwall’s first ever orbital satellite launch, that is expected to create 150 immediate jobs, with the potential for thousands more in the long term.

The College is encouraging employers operating in Space, Aerospace, related sectors and supply chains to get in touch.