Talent in the European Space Sector

ESPI webinar on key findings and recommendations from our report: "Talent in the European Space Sector: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures"

9 October 2025 Online
Registration is Now Closed

Overview

On the occasion of our Report, “Talent in the European Space Sector: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures” and in celebration of World Space Week, we were pleased to host a webinar on Talent in the European Space Sector!  

The webinar discussed key findings and recommendations from the report, which investigates student and young professional perspectives, concerns, and needs for their future careers in the sector, and how these are matched (or not!) by what the space industry requires and provides. 

The webinar began with an outline of the main findings from the new report, followed by a panel discussion featuring a range of stakeholders from across the sector.

Structure

The webinar took place online on 9 October 2025 from 15:00-16:30 CEST.

Topics discussed included:

  • Recruitment dynamics: high needs for mid-level profiles, high competition for juniors.
  • Student concerns regarding current academic programmes.
  • Future skills needs and workforce evolution.
  • The attractiveness of the sector, and the power of inspiration for drawing dedicated talent.

Speakers

We were pleased to welcome the following experts:

Guest Speakers

  • Joseph Dudley Director, Space Skills Alliance
  • Lucy van der Tas Head of Talent Acquisition, European Space Agency
  • Professor Chris Rapley Professor of Climate Science, University College London (UCL)
  • José Pedro Ferreira Project Groups Coordinator, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
  • Jérôme Barbier Coordinator, Young European Enterprises Syndicate for Space (YEESS)
  • Sien De Neve Student, KU Leuven and University of Ghent