The development of the south west’s first space engineering technician apprenticeship was announced on Friday at a special event at Truro College.
The apprenticeship was revealed at the launch of Truro and Penwith College’s Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training (CSATT), which is being delivered through the ESF part-funded SS HLS project.
CSATT is developing the apprenticeship along with new short courses that will boost Cornwall’s £1 billion space and aerospace sector.
MP Cherilyn Mackrory and Mayor of Truro, Steven Webb, joined staff and 60 employers from across Cornwall to tour Truro College’s new £7 million South West Institute of Technology engineering and technology centre, ‘Valency’, over two socially distanced engagement sessions.
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.
Heidi Thiemann, CSATT project manager at Truro and Penwith College, said: “The apprenticeship and short courses are the first of many innovative space and aerospace training projects we are going to announce over the coming months and years.
“The Cornish space economy is growing rapidly and we need people with the right skills to maintain that growth. Through CSATT, we’re going to provide that world-class space training to ensure that businesses and individuals are supported and given exciting career opportunities.”
The college is encouraging employers operating in space, aerospace, related sectors and supply chains to get in touch with Heidi Thiemann to find out more about the project; heidit@truro-penwith.ac.uk.
