Opportunities for businesses in Cumbria to diversify into the space industry are being brought to the region next month.

iSH, the Industrial Solutions Hub, is hosting Space Week across West Cumbria from June 26-30.

Businesses, schools and individuals are invited to a range of events throughout the week to see how they could be inspired by the UK’s fast-growing space sector.

The first two days of the event are devoted to a business audience with a wide range of speakers from the space industry addressing delegates at Lakes College, Workington, on Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27.

Leaders of the UK Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult and businesses operating in the Space Sector will share information on how the market works. The Space Skills Alliance will also deliver a workshop to present the skills needs of the space industry.

The event will also include discussions on how to develop Research and Development in the space sector and how to attract funding to work collaboratively with universities and other organisations to grow a space cluster in West Cumbria.

Miranda Kirschel, iSH Regional Representative, said: “We have been working with partners to explore opportunities for businesses in Cumbria to diversify into other sectors.

“The innovation, expertise and skills we see day in day out in Cumbria mean businesses are well positioned here to transfer that capability into different industries.

“The space industry has been identified as one of a number of sectors where West Cumbria’s industry can offer transferable, and directly applicable, skills and capability.

“Through discussions with those in the space sector it has become clear that there are many synergies with industries and businesses here.

“Space is an exciting industry for so many reasons and by bringing experts from the sector to the region to talk about its viability as a market we hope we can help businesses access those opportunities.

“iSH is an enabler, acting as a catalyst to help businesses diversify and grow, creating more employment and training opportunities for the local population and helping to regenerate our communities.

“We are confident that people from a wide range of businesses will find Space Week insightful. We also hope that it will lead to tangible business opportunities for companies and organisations in the region.”

iSH is delighted to be hosting a series of events and activities, including business-facing events, R&D focused events and educational activities with

schools, to explore developing a space sector cluster in West Cumbria.

In conjunction with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s Business Bites initiative, businesses are also invited to attend an event on Thursday, June 29, 5pm-7pm, in the grounds of St Nicholas Church, Whitehaven.

“Let’s Talk About Space” features Alan Cross, North West Space Cluster Development Manager from the UK Space Agency, who will lead a discussion designed for local businesses and organisations on space, satellites, the data they gather, how it affects and benefits our lives, and what it could mean for West Cumbria.

To book tickets for iSH Space Week’s business events visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/636442435457