Impact through collaboration –Meeting the skills shortage of the hydrogen economy industry

As the demand for skilled professionals in the hydrogen sector escalates rapidly, Finnish universities of technology are collaborating with the industry to address the skills challenge effectively.

FITech Hydrogen is a study module developed in collaboration with FITech Network University and Hydrogen Cluster Finland. It aims to meet the skills shortage in the hydrogen economy industry.

FITech universities combined their best expertise to create courses that cover the entire hydrogen value chain: energy, hydrogen production, storage, logistics, and applications.

“Additionally, courses on geopolitics, large-scale project management, and circular economy complement the study module,” says FITech Hydrogen Project Manager Sanna Viitanen.

The university network’s ability to combine expertise from multiple universities and its strong ties to technology industries from past educational initiatives leads to highly effective educational programmes.

“Our way of working builds on collaboration and dialogue that ensures a good fit between re- and upskilling needs and educational offerings,” says Petri Suomala, Chair of the FITech Board and Vice President for Education at Aalto University.

Industrial viewpoints are represented in the educational board

The FITech Hydrogen project has an advisory educational board comprising the universities’ responsible professors and Hydrogen Cluster member companies Neste, P2X Solutions and ABB.

They underscore the importance of continuous learning and skill development for professionals across the hydrogen industry, from process engineers to business developers and top management.

“The industry’s transition towards sustainability necessitates a diverse skill set across the whole sector, from technical design and safety to economic, political, and regulatory understanding,” says Antti Pohjoranta, who works as Head of Technology for Renewable Hydrogen at Neste.

Ismo Laukkanen, Head of Learning and Development at ABB, stresses the importance of people capability development. “Innovations and technology development need to be linked with competency and capability development in the hydrogen ecosystem. Upskilling programs like FITech Hydrogen provide a good platform for that.”

Tuomo Rinne, Vice President for Business Development at P2X Solutions, says that in addition to formal training, the local projects that companies execute together create new knowledge and understanding of the potential of different technologies. This opens opportunities both for education and for the Finnish companies around the hydrogen business.

Now is a good time to study hydrogen economy

The FITech Hydrogen study module is organised online and offers an option to study remotely.

The course Introduction to hydrogen economy is a good starting point, providing a fundamental grasp of the hydrogen economy value chain. Following this introductory course, students can further enhance their understanding in specific areas.

A part of the study module will consist of project courses that enable communication between course students and industry.

Sanna Viitanen invites companies to participate: “In our upcoming project courses, students provide solutions for real challenges brought up by companies in the hydrogen sector. We are actively seeking business cases for course participants to engage with.” |

Get to know the FITech Hydrogen course offering: fitech.io/en/hydrogen-economy

FITech Network University

• A network that consists of Finnish universities of technology, Technology Industries of Finland (Teknologiateollisuus) and the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (Tekniikan Akateemiset TEK)

• FITech offers diverse courses covering topics such as ICT, 5G, cybersecurity, energy storage, and hydrogen economy. Study content is free of charge for all Finns and permanent residents of Finland.

• Upon course completion, adult learners can apply for a digital badge to showcase their acquired skills.

• The FITech Hydrogen study module is funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Education and Employment (SECLE).