In-Space Missions sponsors female tech talent to boost numbers of women in AI and big data

Alton satellite builders In-Space Missions have teamed up with Code First Girls to train a new generation of female coders.

The company will be funding free software degrees for female engineers to communicate with its satellites and spacecraft on the ground.

This comes as part of an effort to address the gender diversity gap among its staff, alongside tech firm Thales, missiles manufacturer MBDA, and defence multinational BAE Systems.

Elizabeth Seward, Head of Space Strategy and Future Business at BAE Digital Intelligence, said: “To stay ahead in the New Space Age, building capacity and diverse digital skills are essential for ensuring continued secure innovation.

“Yet, the glaring digital skills gap poses a significant challenge to the future of the space sector.

“Our research found that 56% of senior aerospace decision makers said the combination of attracting and retaining the right talent is presenting a major challenge.

“What’s more, over a quarter cited a lack of diversity – including gender, ethnic background and age – when it comes to recruiting STEM talent, which is holding back their business.”

It’s not a new problem – a recent report from the UN showed that women have made up a fairly static 20 per cent of the aerospace and defence workforce for the past three decades.

“A diverse workforce will be the key to companies having a competitive edge.”

This is despite the pioneering work of Helen Sharman, who became the first British woman to visit space in 1991, and growing recognition of the crucial role played by women in the US Space Race, as featured in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.

Code First Girls was set up in 2012 to help swing the balance. The programme provides a pathway to tech industry employment through free education in STEM subjects, which in the past have typically been neither mentioned nor encouraged to girls at school.

The organisation recently conducted a survey which found that women in tech are particularly interested in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data.

This should be music to the ears of aerospace recruiters, and companies like In-Space Missions are finally starting to realise the potential.

Anna Brailsford, CEO of Code First Girls, said: “As the UK continues to build its reputation as a global centre of excellence for aerospace and defence, a diverse workforce will be the key to companies having a competitive edge, ensuring continued innovation and creative solutions.”

“Through our partnerships, we are helping women who may never have considered a career in STEM to break into the industry, whilst also providing companies access to the top diverse talent they need in order to flourish.

“If the UK space industry wants to continue to lead the way with pioneering space agencies and companies around the world, it will need to avoid groupthink and tap into this talent from people of all backgrounds, which In-Space Missions are working to promote.”