Waterstof Werkt (Hydrogen Works) – educational programme

In the coming years, this region will be the centre of the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen as a green energy carrier is one of the foundations for a sustainable future. Billions will be invested and Europe has proclaimed the Northern Netherlands the first hydrogen region – Hydrogen Valley. This creates great opportunities for the region: growth, innovation and employment. For this new energy economy to succeed, the availability of sufficient skilled expertise and work force is of vital importance.

The “Hydrogen Works” programme will, in the short term, realise a continuous learning programme in the region in the field of hydrogen. This will include education, training and courses at vocational, higher, university and post-initial (advanced professional) level. The regional educational institutions are working together in this programme. This is the only way to develop the continuous learning programme and to achieve synergy between the different educational levels.

Collaborations with the business community, social organisations, knowledge institutions and local governments is crucial for success. Educational activities will be better, more intensive and, especially during the learning process, will be mutually attuned to the market needs and the investment assignment of the companies in the region. It also ensures that education is permanently secured in the region, even after the programme has ended. The regional investment programme on hydrogen offers great opportunities. For our knowledge position and for employment. The strong knowledge sector that our region currently has in the field of energy and the energy transition can grow into a European authoritative knowledge system in the field of education and applied research into hydrogen.

Facts

Partners

ROC Alfa-college, ROC Noorderpoort, Hanze UAS Groningen & University of Groningen

Co-financiers

Techniek Nederland/Wijtechniek, Bouwend Nederland, Afeer, Stork, Shell Nederland, Municipality of Groningen, EBN, GasTerra, Gasunie & NAM.

Deliverables

• A major boost for regional education to meet the emerging demand for skilled work in the sustainable energy sector and the hydrogen economy in particular, as well as further raising the profile of Groningen as a hydrogen region;
• Greater attention to the energy transition and hydrogen throughout the entire Groningen education chain (primary, secondary, senior secondary vocational, higher vocational, university and post-initial), by expanding and adapting the curriculum and offering learning paths with the business community and other stakeholders;
• The training of more than 1,000 experts in the next 5 years to realise the development of the hydrogen economy, of which approximately one-third through refresher courses;
• retraining and refresher courses for about 325 existing energy experts and their trainers, partly as an initial contribution to absorbing the job losses resulting from the reduction of gas extraction in Groningen;
• Facilitating at least 100 hydrogen-related work placements for intermediate vocational students, 50 traineeships for higher vocational students with the participating companies and organisations, as well as 125 students working in the Innovation Workshop at EnTranCe;
• Reinforced collaboration between the Groningen educational institutions and the business community to create a more demand-driven supply of knowledge and to strengthen the hydrogen investments, applications and acceptance in Groningen; resulting in a “learning community”;
• Expansion of practical research and training activities (college, university and post-initial) to provide regional investments with the required knowledge;
• Direct employment of approx. 30 FTEs over the programme period (with additional multiplier effects) for the activities resulting from the programme;
• An intelligent knowledge database for hydrogen that is widely applicable, supports the continuous learning line and contributes to the research activities and investment plans;
• Approximately 40 public activities and 15 networking activities to increase the involvement and support for hydrogen in the region.