The UK Government’s newly published Hydrogen Sector Development Action Plan highlights the nature and scale of opportunities presented by hydrogen production, transmission and storage in the UK.
The Action Plan mentions the work of the ECITB, which it states is ‘pivotal in driving forward collaboration with employers, training providers and government to ensure the engineering construction workforce has the technical skills… to decarbonise existing industry and build new hydrogen facilities’.
ECITB research shows that a significant proportion of the UK engineering construction workforce already possess transferable skills applicable to hydrogen, for example, engineering designers, leak test technicians as well as craft trades such as pipefitters. Retraining and upskilling will also play a critical part in meeting the demand for skilled workers in new hydrogen.
David Nash, ECITB Director of Strategy and Policy, said: “The ECITB is pleased to see publication of the action plan, which is a welcome addition to the British Energy Security Strategy and recognises the key role the ECITB will play in supporting the switch to hydrogen fuel in the UK.
“As employer-led skills body for the industry, the ECITB is committed to address emerging and future skills requirements across the supply chain to allow companies to compete for contracts as industrial decarbonisation and fuel switching to hydrogen progresses. We are working to deliver specially adapted safety training and upskilling in hydrogen equipment design as well as help attract and develop the diverse and talented workforce needed to help the UK’s hydrogen economy thrive.”
