Engineers Australia, through Engineering Education Australia (EEA) and Deakin University, will launch a suite of hydrogen energy micro-credentials to upskill the engineering workforce and support Australia's transition to net zero. The collaborative project addresses a severe talent shortage in the hydrogen and engineering sectors, critical to the nation's clean energy goals.
Supported by funding from the Australian Government through the Local Jobs Program, the project includes four micro-credentials and one webinar:
- Handling Hydrogen for Engineers
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Operation, Safety and Maintenance
- Hydrogen Electrolysers
- Hydrogen in the Built Environment
- Hydrogen and Social Responsibility for Engineers (Webinar)
The training suite aims to bridge knowledge gaps for professionals across energy, transport, planning, water, and government sectors, equipping them with the necessary skills to safely and effectively advance the hydrogen economy.
"Research shows a severe talent shortage in hydrogen engineering is impacting our path to net zero," says Head of EEA Joel Evans. "These micro-credentials can bridge that gap by equipping engineers with the skills they need. Partnering with Deakin University allows us to offer practical, industry-focused education to support the profession's leading role in Australia's shift to clean energy."
The project was initiated in 2022 when researchers from Hycel, Deakin University's hydrogen technology hub, and the School of Engineering began investigating the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for developing a safe, reliable hydrogen engineering workforce.
Findings from a comprehensive literature review and interviews indicated a critical need for hydrogen engineering curricula focused on building technical knowledge and skills, that – importantly – was co-designed with industry to capture the perspectives of real-world hydrogen practitioners.
"Deakin is delighted to partner with EEA to upskill engineers for the growing domestic hydrogen economy," says Hycel Director Professor Tiffany Walsh. "This builds on Deakin's track record in hydrogen education, including in primary and secondary schools, with our TAFE partners in vocational training, for emergency response workers, and now for engineers to confidently design, plan, build and operate hydrogen systems."
The project is now underway and is scheduled for completion by 30 June 2025, providing a timely solution to the urgent need for hydrogen skills development.
