Hydrogen workforce to grow by more than previous predictions

The latest assessment of job numbers suggests that the ambition, as set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, to produce 10 GW hydrogen by 2030 will require hydrogen production to grow by 10 000 times. The hydrogen economy of 2030 will support a significant workforce – 29 000 direct and 64 500 indirect jobs using a mix of existing and new skills.

Based on a variety of national and international sources – including employer input, studies, workshops and information from overseas hydrogen bodies – the Hydrogen Skills Workforce Assessment covers predicted workforce demand in production, storage, distribution and use of hydrogen.

The report also highlights key actions needed to address issues affecting the sector such as skills and labour shortages especially in STEM, uncertainty about workforce demand, lack of clarity around hydrogen-specific roles and competencies and lack of industry equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Justine Fosh, CEO of Cogent Skills, a founder member of the Hydrogen Skills Alliance, said: “Understanding the future labour market is vital for the smooth transition to a net zero economy. The nascency of our hydrogen economy, featuring new and emerging technologies presents a unique set of skills challenges, that can only be addressed through cross-sector collaboration. Work to develop a comprehensive skills strategy is underway, and a better understanding of the skills and competencies required will increase workforce flexibility and support the development of new and exciting career pathways for those wishing to transition into the workforce from adjacent industries.”

Some of the key recommendations from the Hydrogen Skills Alliance report will be fed into a UK Hydrogen Skills Strategy due to be published in the autumn and include:

• Creating a dynamic modelling tool for hydrogen workforce planning.
• Developing a hydrogen skills framework and define the 'delta' between hydrogen roles and those of other industries.
• Mapping transferable skills from oil and gas and other sectors to the hydrogen industry.
• Training programmes to equip incoming industry workers for new roles.
• Adjustments to the Apprenticeship Levy to support workforce transition.
• Upskilling hydrogen trainers to address capacity issues among training providers.
• A UK-wide green jobs campaign to increase awareness and appeal of the sector, while improving performance of recruitment initiatives, such as the current eight per cent uptake of hydrogen skills bootcamps.
• Increasing outreach via the National Careers Service and activity in schools to encourage take-up of STEM subjects and careers.
• Promoting greater industry diversity through government-backed incentives, scholarships and mentorship for women and under-represented groups.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/17072024/hydrogen-workforce-to-grow-by-more-than-previous-predictions/