The ECITB is supporting an endeavour by the Hydrogen Skills Alliance (HSA) to promote training in the sector
The hydrogen skills framework currently exists as a proof-of concept geared towards helping employers train staff in hydrogen.
The framework will include qualifications to certify its training in industry knowledge.
The hydrogen skills framework will be continually tweaked
The framework is open-source, and intended to be an ongoing project seeing consistent updates and evolutions, allowing employers using the framework to train their employees to remain dynamic and able to adapt to the changing needs of the hydrogen economy, and maintain visible career pathways.
The framework has been created by stakeholders and industry regulators, and is intended to set a benchmark for industry skills development and boost confidence in the industry.
This is the first step in the HSA’s plan, titled Empowering The Future: A Strategic Skills Plan for the UK Hydrogen Economy, which was first published last month in an effort to tackle challenges and show the scale of the issues the industry faces.
The HSA will now work alongside both employers and skills bodies, including EU skills and ECITB to ensure that all occupations in the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transmission, distribution, and usage, are included in the hydrogen skills framework.
“The framework will help to identify and fill any skills and knowledge gaps”
Industry minister Sarah Jones said: “Having the workforce in place to support the growth of the hydrogen industry is key to delivering our clean power mission.
“The Hydrogen Skills Framework will help to propel British people into good, skilled jobs in the industries of the future.
“Alongside industry, we are paving the way for thousands of clean energy jobs – with 27 cutting-edge projects getting through to the next round of our flagship hydrogen programme this week.”
Jane Toogood, co-chair of the UK Hydrogen Delivery Council, said: “I welcome the publication of the new skills framework. Giving clarity on what skills are needed for each part of the hydrogen value chain will help build confidence of companies and their teams, to grow this important sector for our future and ensure long term employment opportunities.
Andrew Hockey, CEO of ECITB, said: “We welcome the establishment of the Hydrogen Skills Framework. It will help us develop training pathways for young people looking to pursue a career in hydrogen, as well as upskill existing workers looking to transition into the sector.
“Many of the roles required for hydrogen, and industrial decarbonisation more broadly, are existing roles – like process engineers, technicians, welders, pipefitters and other key trades. The ECITB supports the training of thousands of workers in these roles each year across Great Britain. In drawing on industry expertise, the framework will help to identify and fill any skills and knowledge gaps, ensuring the workforce is hydrogen-ready.”
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