In the burgeoning era of the hydrogen economy, Europe is meticulously navigating through the intricacies of workforce development and skill acquisition. The Hydrogen Europe Quarterly provides a lens into the strategic approaches of three distinct entities, each contributing to the fortification of the workforce amidst the unfolding hydrogen revolution.
The hydrogen economy, anticipated to generate between one to 20 million jobs globally by 2050, is not just a field of employment but a diverse ecosystem encompassing engineers, manufacturers, financial experts, and legal advisors. Europe, with its ambitious hydrogen production, transportation, and utilization goals, is spearheading this transformative journey.
**Navigating Recruitment: A Glimpse into Boss Energy Consulting**
Boss Energy Consulting, navigating through the nascent yet dynamic hydrogen sector, has identified a tangible bottleneck in talent acquisition.
Michael Johnson, the firm’s managing director, shared, “Roughly three or four years ago, we noticed a lot of traction in the hydrogen space and quickly understood that our services would transfer quite well.”
The company, with its global footprint, has witnessed a generational talent gap, with a pool of seasoned experts and a surge of newcomers, yet a noticeable void in between.
The recruitment paradigm has evolved from mass hiring to strategic placement, particularly as projects mature from planning to execution phases.
George Richardson, a director at Boss, emphasized, “Hydrogen moves in ebb and flow in terms of supply and demand, and everyone is often fishing in the same pond,” highlighting the competitive and scarce talent pool.
**Empowering Through Training: Symbio Academy’s Approach**
Symbio Academy has emerged as a beacon of hands-on workforce development in the hydrogen sector. Jean-Baptiste Ballif, Director of Symbio Academy, emphasized the importance of formalizing and disseminating hydrogen-enhanced competencies. He stated, “Hydrogen enhanced competencies are developed every day by the industry throughout the value chain. Symbio Hydrogen Academy primarily aims at formalising this knowledge: upskill internally, reducing time to competence and – by the same process – sharing and educating externally because there is a huge interest and demand but limited offer.”
Through innovative programs and practical training modules, the Academy aims to render hydrogen technology comprehensible and accessible, fostering both internal and external education.
**Innovation and Connection: H2UB’s Role**
H2UB, based in Essen, Germany, has carved out a role as a pivotal connector in the European hydrogen value chain, offering guidance and networking opportunities for innovators.
Uwe Kerkmann, H2UB’s CEO, underscored the political and strategic nature of hydrogen adoption, stating, “Let’s not forget that using hydrogen is not an evolutionary process in the economy, it’s based on political decisions: we want to be climate neutral, and we want to reduce fossil needs.”
H2UB facilitates connections among start-ups, companies, and educational institutions, ensuring structured progression in the hydrogen sector, and offers services designed to accelerate business development and connect entrepreneurs with vital resources.
Kerkmann highlights that while hydrogen start-ups are currently attracting well-educated individuals, the issue of skill shortage will likely become more pronounced as the sector expands. He echoes the sentiments of Johnson and Ballif, emphasizing the critical need for high-quality, dedicated educational opportunities to ensure a skilled workforce is ready to implement projects once the Final Investment Decision is made.
Europe’s trajectory towards a hydrogen economy is intertwined with its ability to navigate workforce development, recruitment, and training challenges adeptly. The insights and initiatives from Boss Energy Consulting, Symbio Academy, and H2UB provide a multifaceted perspective on the approaches required to bridge the talent gap and equip the workforce to drive the hydrogen revolution forward. The collective endeavors of these entities, alongside strategic collaborations and educational transformations, will be pivotal in steering Europe towards a sustainable hydrogen future.
