South & City College Birmingham (SCCB) has launched a state-of-the-art hydrogen-fuelled vehicle training facility to cater to the growing demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles in the automotive industry. The £1.5m investment, funded by The Office for Students, includes the purchase of a BLUEPOWER e-base refuse collection truck to enhance practical training. The facility, a result of a partnership between SCCB and Enginius, specializes in hydrogen-powered municipal vehicles. The workshop, meeting industry specifications, features robust safety systems, vehicle lifts, an EV training area, and covers 450m². The training provided at the facility complements the existing electric vehicle programs at SCCB, addressing heavy and light vehicles in the hybrid vehicle sector. SCCB aims to upskill the existing automotive workforce to Levels 3 and 4, offering real-world training opportunities for higher education students. The facility will also introduce unique pathways for lower level students to progress. Additionally, SCCB will collaborate with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to deliver the IMI Level 1 hydrogen awareness qualification. In addition to being a teaching environment, the facility will serve as a research and development center. Plans are underway to introduce a Level 4 course focused on diagnosing faults on hydrogen-powered vehicles. Simon Hyde, CEO at Faun Zoeller UK, emphasized how the training facility will equip the workforce with the necessary skills to service and maintain hydrogen-powered municipal vehicles, addressing common barriers to hydrogen adoption. The hydrogen training facility is housed at SCCB's Bordesley Green Campus, positioning the college at the forefront of preparing the automotive workforce for the hydrogen vehicle sector.