IoD Scotland Autumn 2021

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Technical briefing: The space sector / Education and training Going beyond the beyond... Mick O’Connor, Programme Director, Prestwick Spaceport outlines recent development that could see Ayrshire become a global centre of the growing space industry The UK space sector has grown for over decade. Having survived the financial crisis relatively unscathed, it has been the ambition of respective governments since 2010 that the UK should be an important player in the emerging global space market. This aspiration is paying dividends already with the expansion of spacecraft manufacturing and space data businesses and establishment of the UK’s first ESA centre at Harwell in Oxfordshire. The prospect of establishing sovereign spaceflight capability has captured the public imagination; however, it has suffered most from protracted regulatory development. Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire was a spaceport contender from the outset and is excellently positioned to build a complete space ecosystem, anchored not only by the imminent potential of commercial spaceflight, but also beyond launch serving all aspects of the ‘newspace’ market. The delay in establishing UK Space Industry Regulation (SIR) caused uncertainty for companies and investors seeking to establish these critical enablers of UK space access. However, 2021 witnessed the conclusion of the legislative process with the publication of the SIR and appointment of the CAA as regulator, making way for the conduct of space launch from UK soil commencing in 2022. A key challenge for Prestwick Spaceport is governance of the design, build and system integration process within this immature regulatory environment. Stitching together new regulatory requirements, a new regulator and new technology is not without its risks, therefore, good stewardship in the form of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) practice is vital. ‘RegTech’ emerged from the financial sector and is slowly expanding into adjacent areas which includes the space industry. Prestwick Spaceport has embraced RegTech by implementing a cloud-based GRC solution, IO®, to create a single information environment which connects team members, declutters data and provides early warning of changes to the threat environment. Prestwick was established in the 1930s and moved from aircraft servicing into aircraft manufacturing during WWII and remained an aerospace hub ever since. Companies such as Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems, Collins Aerospace and GE are all based at Prestwick. Nearby Glasgow has become a leader in satellite design and manufacture with the potential of launching Scottishbuilt satellites from Scottish soil, and discussion is ongoing with new satellite and launch vehicle manufacturers looking to locate at Prestwick. What enables this is £80m of funding via the Ayrshire Growth deal supported by the Scottish and UK government, and three local authorities. The Ayrshire Growth Deal will help to establish a broader space cluster alongside the well-established aviation and aerospace capability. The deal supports a new Aerospace and Space Applications Centre, visitors centre and STEM facility to inspire the engineers and scientists of the future. Educational links are in place with academic institutions across Scotland, including the University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland, and Ayrshire College. Covid severely impacted the aviation sector and will take time to recover. The growth of the new space sector across Scotland will help to secure Prestwick’s proud aerospace heritage for another hundred years. Mick is also an IoD Chartered Director Ambassador and Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch member. http://www.prestwickaerospace.com 16 iod.com Autumn 2021
Role of qualifications in enabling Scotland’s workforce and economy Qualifications are a crucial part of an individuals’ learning and training. They give them a goal to work towards, prove to others what they know, and what they can do, and help them to distinguish themselves from their peers. How they are delivered can vary according to circumstances, and preferences, but they will always align to the required standard. Qualifications are there to help learners unlock the path ahead, and there is real value in that. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has a distinct place in Scotland’s skills landscape. SQA qualifications provide a backbone to measure skills and people development from school, through college and work. SQA ensures that its qualifications meet the needs not only of employers, higher and further education, and the economy, but of those undertaking them, helping them to forge resilience, entrepreneurship, and flexibility. SQA offers a comprehensive portfolio of qualifications that respond to regional and national skills needs, including Higher Nationals, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, Licence to Practice and qualifications that form over 80% of Scotland’s apprenticeships. SQA also offers Customised Awards and Credit Rating services, accrediting bespoke qualifications for organisations looking to invest in their workforce or demonstrate quality and competence. SQA qualifications support the Scottish Government’s drive to close the attainment gap and are fundamental to economic strategy, particularly in relation to youth employment. The education and training system, including Higher Education Institutions, colleges, and employers, agree that qualifications must offer a standard and consistent way of demonstrating that someone has a level of competence in a particular subject or skill set. To successfully achieve a qualification, there must be evidence available of a learner’s demonstrated attainment in the skills and knowledge at the required national standard. Having an evidence-based system gives employers, universities, and colleges the reassurance they need when making decisions about who can be recruited, enter their courses, and join their training programmes, based on the knowledge, and skills, and understanding individuals have been able to demonstrate to that point. Consistent standards over time also provide flexibility for individuals to access immediate opportunities today, and different opportunities later in their career. SQA works with employers and training providers across the country, and together enable the delivery of the right skills for Scotland, for the benefit of individuals and employers. SQA is grateful for these relationships and the ongoing valuable input they bring to the development and delivery of its qualifications and assessments. This has never been more important than over the last 18 months. SQA has worked collaboratively with a wide range of training providers, colleges, and employers to develop and deliver assessment approaches that could be used under Covid-19 restrictions. This has ensured that learners are assessed in a way that is valid, reliable, practical, equitable, fair and allows them to gain the knowledge and skills they need to take their next steps. Despite the many challenges, there have been opportunities and innovations as everyone has adapted to the changing circumstances in order to continue providing services to customers and learners. A great example of SQA’s collaborative working is the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications 2021 Group established at the start of this year. With representation from all parts of further education and vocational training, the group has developed general and subject-specific advice and guidance to “SQA ensures that its qualifications meet the needs not only of employers, higher and further education, and the economy, but of those undertaking them, helping them to forge resilience, entrepreneurship, and flexibility...” support assessment for vocational qualifications. SQA has also worked with regulatory bodies to confirm the assessment arrangements required for regulated qualifications, including Scottish Vocational Qualifications and Licence to Practice qualifications. With Skills Development Scotland, SQA has ensured the continued delivery of Scotland’s apprenticeships. Following the Scottish Government announcement in June that SQA is to be replaced, SQA remains committed to working with its customers for the foreseeable future to ensure that its products and services meet their needs and ensuring that they receive excellent customer service. SQA is committed to making a positive contribution to Professor Ken Muir’s review of Scotland’s education bodies and the next steps that flow from his work. This will help secure a smooth transition which will support and safeguard the interests of learners and provide continuity of service to its customers. In the interim period, SQA will continue to offer high-quality, internationally recognised qualifications and certificates, which learners can have pride in, and which employers can have confidence in. More than ever, qualifications are an essential part of individuals’ successful journey from education and training into further study and employment, as well as success in life, benefitting the whole of Scottish society. More at www.sqa.org.uk Autumn 2021 iod.com 17
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Page 8 and 9: Downtime / IoD membership services
Page 10: Behind the desk: Jojo Mehta Let’s
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IoD Scotland Autumn 2021

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