Hydrogen is an emerging low carbon solution with clear policies set out by UK and Scottish Governments in their Climate Emergency planning. Ensuring the UK has the right skills and capabilities will be critical to achieving their hydrogen ambitions and for Scotland to become a leading nation in the production of reliable, competitive and sustainable hydrogen.
There is currently no access to reliable training equipment for those looking to enter the hydrogen industry. Training requires costly specialist equipment to grow the skills required by industry and first-hand experience is not normally available to trainees. As an emerging technology, colleges don’t have access to the industrial hydrogen equipment required to build the workforce.
Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) is a collaboration between the Scottish government, colleges, and industry. The partnership was established to help deliver skills for the energy, engineering, and construction sectors with a focus on the Just Transition to Net Zero. Their project will create a VR interactive walk through of a hydrogen refuelling station, giving learners exposure to an industrial environment. The VR will be delivered through headsets and include sound and visuals. Learners will be able to interact with their environment as if they were a Hydrogen technician, testing out prior knowledge and skills safely. The solution will give learners considering entry into this industry an experience of the working conditions and environment.
The learner group consists of students across Scotland’s colleges, from school leavers to adult returners, as well as those currently in employment and looking to upskill or reskill.