22 June 2012 Last updated at 20:35 ET

Loughborough College launches space engineering scheme

The National Space Academy is based at the National Space Centre in Leicester

A Leicestershire college is to launch the UK's first ever space engineering apprenticeship.

Loughborough College and the National Space Academy have announced their joint bid to develop the scheme.

The college said the Higher Apprentice course was designed to create high-level technicians for the space sector.

It will offer work-based and degree-level training to help sustain growth in an industry worth £7.5bn to the UK economy, the college said.

Dr Martin Killeen, technology business development manager at Loughborough College, said: "The Higher Apprenticeship in space engineering will provide an accessible route to engineering skills and employment for under-represented groups, particularly women.

"The Loughborough College and National Space Academy joint bid will create a national pathway for around 100 Higher Apprentices every year."

Loughborough College said the new course would start in September 2013.