Driving Toward a Hydrogen-Powered Future: SCCB Launches State-of-the-Art Training Facility
Key Ideas
- South & City College Birmingham launches a cutting-edge hydrogen training facility equipped to meet the demand for hydrogen-fueled vehicles, funded by a £1.5m grant.
- The facility, in partnership with Enginius, specializes in hydrogen-powered municipal vehicles and ensures the automotive sector is prepared for the transition to alternatively fueled vehicles.
- Students will benefit from upskilling opportunities and real-world training, addressing the hybrid vehicle sector for heavy and light vehicles, creating job opportunities for young people and workforce upskilling.
- The collaboration with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) offers the IMI Level 1 hydrogen awareness qualification, catering to the growing popularity and demand for hydrogen technologies in the automotive sector.
South & City College Birmingham (SCCB) has launched a state-of-the-art hydrogen training facility at its Bordesley Green Campus, in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This facility, made possible by a £1.5m grant from The Office for Students, aims to prepare the automotive industry for the increasing demand for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. The investment includes the purchase of a hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle for realistic training. The partnership between SCCB and Enginius, a part of vehicle manufacturer FAUN Zoeller, has led to the transformation of a vision into reality.
The new 450m² workshop meets all industry specifications, equipped with robust safety systems, vehicle lifts, and an EV training area. Mike Hopkins MBE, Principal at SCCB, highlighted the importance of being ready for the shift to alternatively fueled vehicles, including hydrogen, with the government planning to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales. The facility caters to commercial fleet operators and local authorities needing trained engineers for maintaining hydrogen-powered vehicles.
This initiative provides job opportunities and upskilling pathways for students involved in automotive courses at SCCB, with a focus on enhancing the existing automotive workforce and supporting higher education students. The collaboration with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) ensures the delivery of the IMI Level 1 hydrogen awareness qualification, addressing the industry's need for skills to work with alternative fuel sources safely.
Beyond being a teaching environment, the facility will serve as a research and development center, with plans for a Level 4 course focused on diagnosing faults in vehicles using live hydrogen. Simon Hyde, CEO at FAUN Zoeller UK, emphasized the importance of proper training to service and maintain hydrogen-powered vehicles effectively. SCCB's commitment to this training facility reinforces the readiness of the current and future workforce to work with hydrogen technologies, overcoming barriers to adoption and ensuring skill development in the automotive sector.