Training Queenslanders for a career in hydrogen

What you need to know about forging a career in hydrogen

Queensland is leading the way in the production of renewable hydrogen in Australia creating opportunities for the training and upskilling of Queensland workers seeking current and future jobs in the emerging industry.

The Queensland Government is working with business, training providers, universities and regional groups to anticipate the skills needs of the hydrogen industry and support a hydrogen-ready workforce. From tradespeople and construction workers through to project managers and engineers, the workforce needs of the hydrogen industry will require a wide range of different job roles and skill sets.

What skills will be needed to work in the hydrogen industry?

Core skills will be required throughout all stages and types of hydrogen projects, including plumbing, electrical work, process operations and engineering. Different skills and occupations will be needed for the various hydrogen production processes and end uses, from maintenance on hydrogen powered vehicles through to ship loading for hydrogen export.

The engineers, technicians and specialists who have supported the growth of Queensland’s Natural Gas industry have important skills that can be used in hydrogen production and transport facilities, including instrumentation and pipeline construction.

There will be opportunities for workers in project management, design and workplace safety. Many other roles in corporate and operational functions will also be needed including finance, human resources and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management and compliance.

A strong base knowledge of safety requirements will be essential. Workers with an existing safety background will need to be upskilled to become familiar with the properties of hydrogen, handling processes and storage needs. Experts in hazardous areas management, on-site emergency response and quality assurance will also need to develop specialist capabilities to work with hydrogen.

Trainers, assessors, teachers and academic staff will need to learn about hydrogen technologies and maintain industry knowledge as the sector develops.

With the growth and expansion of the state’s renewable energy sector comes large increase in demand for construction workers.

The Hydrogen Skills Map highlights the skills needed and training pathways for anticipated jobs in the industry. It includes a map which provides a helpful breakdown of the roles and skills needed in each sector of the industry. The type and timing of those opportunities and demand for particular skills will evolve as the industry grows.

How do school students discover career opportunities and pathways in the hydrogen industry?

Gateway to Industry Schools Program

Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) is part of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training’s industry engagement framework that provides school students with the opportunity to engage in industry-related activities, to support them in their choice of career and further education.

GISP builds partnerships between schools and industry to enable young people to acquire the knowledge, skills and attributes to participate effectively in the Queensland economy and provides opportunities for industry and the education sector to work together to deliver outcomes for students, local communities and businesses.

In partnership with Energy Skills Queensland, GISP has expanded to include a hydrogen-focussed project, which links students with local industries to explore career opportunities in the sector. The Hydrogen GISP will create school to hydrogen jobs pathways and increase student engagement, such as industry insights and connections to the growing and innovative Hydrogen sector.

The Hydrogen GISP will be delivered in at least 30 Queensland schools, engaging more than 2000 students over three years until 31 January 2026.

How will workers be trained to work in the hydrogen industry?

Vocational education and training (VET)

Nationally consistent, accredited VET hydrogen training packages that meet industry needs are being developed and made available to new and existing skilled workers. The latest information on training packages open for enrolment and the Registered Training Organisations delivering them, can be found by searching for 'hydrogen' on training.gov.au.

Subsidies, allowances and other support payments and financial assistance are available from government for apprentices and trainees, including school-based trainees.

The recently announced Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024-2028 extends the Fee-Free TAFE program to help workers train for jobs in a range of high-demand industries such as clean energy, construction and more.

CS Energy and Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise Hydrogen (TSBE) Demonstration Plant

The Queensland Government has partnered with TSBE and government-owned corporation CS Energy to help prepare a job-ready workforce for the hydrogen industry’s expansion. The study, to be conducted at CS Energy’s Kogan Renewables Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, aims to determine skills and training needs for the hydrogen sector.

A dedicated Skills Officer at the demonstration plant will identify the skills, accreditation and qualifications needed for hydrogen projects and assess how current qualifications in traditional resources industries can apply to hydrogen.

The study will also connect local suppliers with hydrogen manufacturing opportunities and support the wider supply chain to invest in upskilling and training opportunities.

Connecting businesses with opportunities in the hydrogen industry

Hydrogen Clusters

Four hydrogen technology clusters have been formed in Queensland to help local businesses make the most of opportunities in the industry:

• CQH2, the Central Queensland Hydrogen Technology Cluster
• NQH2, the North Queensland Hydrogen Consortium
• SQHII, the Southern Queensland Hydrogen Industry Institute
• H2Q, the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Cluster, which operates several working groups to address key issues for the industry.

The clusters bring together hydrogen industry proponents, education and training providers and regional economic bodies, providing businesses access to invaluable intelligence through networking, learning and collaboration.

Business Capability Matching

Businesses which currently operate within the Queensland hydrogen industry or have the capability to support development of the industry, can register their details on a capability mapping platform.

Registration will provide business’ details of market opportunities, allowing them to connect and keep up to date on projects and opportunities as the industry grows. For example, government-owned corporation CS Energy and the TSBE established an online portal for southern Queensland businesses to sign up for opportunities in the emerging hydrogen industry.

National exposure is also available through the HyCapability platform.

Investments in hydrogen training

The Queensland Government is investing more than $50 million in state-of-the-art hydrogen and renewal energy training facilities. This includes:

• $20 million for Stage 2 upgrades to the industry-led Queensland Apprenticeships Centre, featuring a new Hydrogen Training Centre of Excellence at Beenleigh. The Centre was officially opened in November 2022 and features upgraded green gas training equipment, lower carbon technology upgrades and state-of-the-art training facilities to support construction trades.
• $17 million to build the Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility. The training facility was opened in October 2022 and will be used for training apprentices and qualified electricians to install, operate and manage solar and other renewable energy equipment safely.
• $13.2 million to build a hydrogen and renewable energy training facility for training in renewable energy such as hydrogen, solar and wind at the Bohle Trade Training TAFE in Townsville. The project was completed in March 2024.
• $2 million to upgrade facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for jobs in the hydrogen industry.

Hydrogen production in Queensland will not only contribute to cleaner energy but also drive the creation of jobs across various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics and beyond.