The hydrogen economy and jobs for the future

Today's APPG session addressed jobs emerging from the hydrogen transition something of the greatest interest to politicians and indeed most key stakeholders.

Employment, the value chain and job prospects are being examined and predicted and needs major projects to see it realised. 

Chaired by the affable Jacob Young, the latest engagement session and remining us of the UK's twin track 'Blue and Green' approach and dedicated to discussing how policy-makers and industry can work to best communicate hydrogen the emerging energy transition and hydrogen’s role within it.

We heard from:

·       Anna Markova Trades Union Congress (TUC)

·       Jenny Young, Head of Strategy, Policy and Insights, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

·       Steve Barrett, Director of Strategic Accounts, Energy & Utility Skills

All are engaging with and add granularity and a way forward  to last year’s Hydrogen Task force report

It is heartening to see the all party group bring in both employees and the TUC engaging on the subject with Anna Markova reminding us to keep up with the Germans!

The construction and engineering sectors indicated that there won't be perhaps specifically ‘green’ engineers or technicians, they will be engineers and technicians that need to have the flexibility and competence to operate in any coming hydrogen economy.

The transition and the 'blue - green' debate perhaps make it logical that the oil & gas supply chain will transition faster with blue initially, given the common infrastructure and players involved.

Participants are keen to anticipate which cluster are likely to come on line first and a request for further ambition and thoughts around developing the supply chain going forward promoting both local content and skills.

It's encouraging to see debates at this stage of the process with similarities to the initiatives leading the UK to become a world leader in offshore wind sector all to clear to see.