At Hydrogen Safe, we’re tackling critical questions: “What is the greatest challenge we face when it comes to green energy, and how can we bridge the gap between supply and demand in the hydrogen economy to address the growing green skills shortage?” According to Hydrogen UK, the hydrogen sector could create 30,000 direct jobs by 2030, but this will only be possible by unlocking funding and investing in the required skills. That’s why we are developing a Hydrogen Skills Framework. To shape this framework, we are hosting a series of roundtable sessions focused on strengthening the hydrogen skills economy within Greater Manchester. These sessions will ensure hydrogen skills evolve alongside infrastructure, and while the framework will be tailored to Greater Manchester, it can be replicated across the UK. By bringing together industry, educators, and government, our Hydrogen Skills Framework and ongoing roundtable series aim to address these challenges head-on.
Our first roundtable “How does the change in government impact the hydrogen skills ambition for the UK?” highlighted the need for a cohesive strategy following the new government coming into power, bridging the gap between education providers and industry demands. We invited Will Taylor, Senior Policy Advisor and Work & Skills Lead, from Hydrogen UK to deliver a key note speech at the event.
He said:
“A new government offers a fresh opportunity for policy change, and a regional Hydrogen Skills Framework can play a pivotal role in shaping this positive shift.”
He also said:
“Skills development is crucial for the success of the hydrogen industry. A regional framework can ensure we have the talent needed to drive this transition.”
Our second roundtable event, “Connecting the Supply and Demand in the Hydrogen Economy and Unlocking the UK’s Hydrogen Skills Economy,” is set to take place this October at Manchester Metropolitan University. This workshop will bring together key stakeholders from across the hydrogen sector, including industry leaders, educators, and government representatives. The focus of this session will be to collaboratively begin shaping the content of our Hydrogen Skills Framework, which aims to address the growing skills gap and ensure that the workforce is equipped to meet the demands of the evolving hydrogen economy.
The framework we’re developing is not just a roadmap but a necessary tool for ensuring that the UK can meet the growing demands of the hydrogen economy and the skills required to grow it. With Labour’s new reform Skills England and the National Wealth Fund, there is a real potential to de-risk investments and attract funding to the hydrogen sector, so long as there is clear guidance for government, industry and educators on how to invest into where skills are needed most.
In Greater Manchester, where our initial focus lies, the region’s industrial and educational strengths can be leveraged to build a robust hydrogen workforce. Our roundtable series aims to unlock these opportunities by developing a skills framework that addresses local labour market needs while aligning with government’s national skills ambitions. The outcome will not only support the hydrogen economy in Greater Manchester but can also serve as a replicable model for other regions across the UK and beyond.
We plan to launch our Hydrogen Skills Framework before the end of this year. If you’d like to stay informed, sign up for our newsletter for monthly updates. Additionally, season 2 of our podcast, ‘The Challenge with Green Energy?’, is focused on the challenges surrounding green skills and jobs. Be sure to tune in to hear industry insights on this important topic.
