Driving the Hydrogen Workforce of the Future: Urgent Call to Action
Key Ideas
  • The National Composites Centre, Tank Storage Association, and Hydrogen Skills Alliance emphasize the need for government action in upskilling the workforce for expanding hydrogen production in the UK.
  • The report highlights the importance of developing skills in above-ground hydrogen storage tanks to support commercial hydrogen applications across various sectors.
  • Skill gaps in design, installation, maintenance, and operation pose a significant challenge to the effective utilization of hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel source in achieving Net Zero goals.
  • Collaboration among experts from education, employment, and the industry is crucial to address the workforce challenges and fully exploit the potential of hydrogen in the UK.
The National Composites Centre, the Tank Storage Association, and the Hydrogen Skills Alliance have jointly called upon the UK government to take action following the findings of the Workforce Foresighting Hub report. The report outlines the projected skills requirements to scale up hydrogen production to 10GW by 2030, with a significant portion originating from electrolytic hydrogen production. Emphasizing the critical role of above-ground hydrogen storage tanks, the report underscores the necessity for a skilled workforce to support the deployment of hydrogen technologies across sectors. A key concern raised in the report is the existing skill gaps in vital areas such as design, installation, maintenance, and operation of hydrogen infrastructure. Addressing these gaps is seen as essential to ensure the effective utilization of hydrogen as a zero-carbon energy source and to advance the UK's Net Zero ambitions. Peter Davidson, the Chief Executive of the Tank Storage Association, emphasized that without a proficient workforce, the full potential of hydrogen in aiding the country to achieve its sustainability goals cannot be realized. The collaboration among experts from education, employment, and industry stakeholders is deemed critical in responding to the workforce challenges highlighted in the report. By aligning efforts and resources, the aim is to bridge the skill gaps and equip the workforce with the necessary expertise to drive the hydrogen economy forward. This call to action underlines the importance of proactive workforce development in unlocking the benefits of hydrogen as a clean energy solution and facilitating the energy transition towards a sustainable future.
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