Training and skills development in hydrogen

The development of hydrogen projects across Queensland is creating a need for new energy, technology and manufacturing jobs. Our renewable hydrogen industry will need the following types of roles:

• engineers
• draftspeople
• industrial designers
• project managers
• plumbers
• construction, installation and composites technicians
• engineering trades
• mechanical fitters
• certifiers
• safety managers
• electricians
• drivers
• vehicle inspectors.

There is also a need for workers in supporting industries including transport, export, energy and industry.

See the hydrogen skills map in the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032.

Our workforce roadmap

We’ve put a plan in place to prepare our workforce for hydrogen related career opportunities. We’ve worked with industry to create the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022–2032.

Our roadmap identifies 4 key focus areas:

• Building a pipeline of skilled and adaptable workers for the hydrogen industry.
• Sharing knowledge to support hydrogen skills development, training and safety.
• Maximising the benefits for local communities.
• Using data insights to plan for industry workforce needs over time.

Our education partnerships

The clean energy transformation is our greatest jobs opportunity in a generation. Productive partnerships with industry will help build a pipeline of skilled future workers for Queensland’s hydrogen sector.

Gateway to Industry Schools Program

In partnership with Energy Skills Queensland, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training’s Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) has expanded to include a hydrogen focussed project. This program will link students with local industries and help them explore career opportunities in the sector.

The Hydrogen GISP will be delivered in at least 30 Queensland schools, engaging more than 2000 students over 3 years to early 2026.

Hydrogen Grand Prix Series

The Hydrogen Grand Prix Series, in partnership with the Queensland Government, is demonstrating the opportunities of the hydrogen industry to school students across the state.

Students in the program spend a semester studying topics in renewable energy and automotive engineering and are supported by industry mentors.

CS Energy and Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise—Hydrogen Demonstration Plant

We have partnered with Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (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.

Our investment in training

We are investing more than $50 million in training facilities to help people transition into the hydrogen industry and to develop the skills of the future workforce. 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 is 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 2024. It includes studios, tools and instruments workshops and training for hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
• $2 million to upgrade facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for jobs in the hydrogen industry.