College on mission to launch students into space

College students are hoping they too can one day be part of a historic space mission like Artemis II, after learning all about the out-of-this-world industry.

Suffolk New College welcomed space experts who helped show about 50 students that working in the sector may not be as many light years away as they may think.

During their visit to the Ipswich campus, they spoke about jobs and apprenticeships related to welding and engineering roles in the space sector.

It came as astronauts were sent on a flyby around the Moon, as part of a Nasa mission exploring the possibility of one day returning humans to the lunar surface.

While they may have travelled further from Earth than anyone has ever done before, opportunities in the industry can be a lot closer to home.

According to Matt Bagley, from Space East based at Adastral Park in Ipswich, there are more than 800 companies in the region linked to the space sector.

"We host events to encourage people to consider a career... within the space industry," he said.

"Everything that exists on Earth also exists in space - so the engineers on Earth today will be the space engineers of tomorrow."

One of those could be Daniel, 18, who is doing the college's level three welding course.

"Suffolk is a real hub for space – it's mind-blowing," he said.

Level two engineering student Henry, 17, said the visit had opened his eyes to the possibility of a career in the space industry.

"I didn't know there was space companies based in the area," he said.

According to the government, the global space market is predicted to grow from £270bn to £490bn by 2030.

Locally, it is hoped this will help accelerate the innovation and commercialisation of cutting-edge space technologies across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Kayleigh Norris, head of careers and employer engagement at the college, said it was important to make students aware of the region's "large space environment".

"You could say we are putting space careers on their radar," she said.

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