New training will raise awareness of hydrogen potential

• New training modules from the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult could help the UK develop its hydrogen economy, set to be worth £13bn by 2050¹
• The training is open access and available online, and designed to increase the learner’s awareness of the hydrogen technologies and infrastructure¹
• Increased awareness of hydrogen technologies will help to deliver the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy which plans for up to 35% UK energy from hydrogen by 2050¹

The HVM Catapult has launched a series of open access awareness modules to increase understanding of hydrogen across multiple sectors and stimulate the UK’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

The HVM Catapult’s seven research and innovation centres have jointly developed a series of online modules: “Hydrogen Awareness: Make it, move it, use it”. Funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, the modules are available now.

A UK-wide hydrogen economy could be worth £900m and create over 9,000 high-quality jobs by 2030, potentially rising to 100,000 jobs and valued up to £13bn by 2050 ¹. Developing a low carbon hydrogen sector in the UK is pivotal to meeting the government’s decarbonisation goals and transitioning to net zero. Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity, heat homes and businesses, and power vehicles. It has the potential to significantly reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, but as a relatively new technology, there are still gaps in industry knowledge; these awareness modules are a first step in closing these gaps.

The six open access, online modules can be completed alone or as a group to increase the learner’s awareness of the hydrogen technologies and infrastructure. Each is sector agnostic to fit multiple audiences, wherever they may be on their hydrogen journey. They have been designed to increase understanding of the production, storage, distribution and use of hydrogen, and raise awareness of the capabilities, skills and technologies needed to meet increased future market demand for hydrogen.

Katherine Bennett CBE, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, said:

“With our partners at Innovate UK, our role as the High Value Manufacturing Catapult is to work with industry, research and Government to transform the UK manufacturing sector. Hydrogen is a critical part of this, and we are committed to playing a central role in increasing production and innovation in the hydrogen sector.

“The decarbonisation of transport and manufacturing is key to meeting net zero ambitions and each HVM Catapult centre has collaborated with leading industry partners across the UK to develop these hydrogen awareness modules. The modules have been designed to engage learners at all levels who wish to broaden their understanding of hydrogen and its potential uses.”

Chris Steel, Skills Lead and Strategic Partnership Engagement, Hydrogen South West said:

“The UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy was published in August 2021 and forecasts Hydrogen will deliver between 20% and 35% of the total UK energy demand by 2050. Hydrogen South-West is an industry driven network of over 35 key regional companies committed to accelerating the transition from carbon to hydrogen-based energy in the South-West. The Hydrogen South-West Skills Forum has championed the importance of having the right hydrogen skills, in the right place at the right time and the HVM Catapult Hydrogen Awareness modules are an important element in delivering this vision. Hydrogen South-West members fully support the HVM Catapult Hydrogen Awareness modules.”

Micaëla Owen, Head of Workforce Transformation at the National Composites Centre, said:

“The National Composites Centre is delighted to lead this work in collaboration with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network to develop and deliver these hydrogen awareness modules. We offer courses, designed to re-skill and upskill teams and individuals across every sector and build capabilities in a range of disciplines. We work with organisations large and small and help to develop their workforces. The hydrogen awareness course modules are sector agnostic, and therefore applicable to all who wish to broaden their understanding of hydrogen and its potential uses. Each module can be completed as a standalone, or part of the wider series. The modules are self-paced for flexibility to suit the learner and their areas of interest.”