College fuels careers with hydrogen training

A Teesside-based college is boosting skills in low-carbon transport.

Redcar and Cleveland College has launched a modular hydrogen refuelling training facility, believed to be among the first of its kind in the UK. 

Bosses say the new facility allows students and delegates to gain hands-on experience with hydrogen as an alternative transport fuel, supporting awareness and practical skills in a rapidly evolving sector.

Made possible with £286,000 hydrogen hub transport funding, secured from the Tees Valley mayor and Combined Authority, the refuelling system has been supplied by Hydrasun, along with four mobile units to support hands-on installation and maintenance training and skills development.

The initiative aims to equip learners with the knowledge and confidence to work with hydrogen across transport and construction sectors. 

Redcar and Cleveland College plans to make the facility accessible to other Tees Valley colleges, extending its reach and impact across the region.

Jason Faulkner, deputy chief executive of the Education Training Collective, which incorporates Redcar and Cleveland College, said: “This is yet another exciting development in our efforts to build a local workforce with the specialist knowledge and skills to meet the demands of current and future-facing technology. 

“To demonstrate hydrogen technology at the college helps massively, turning theory into practice and allowing students, apprentices and delegates, to see hydrogen in action in a real environment.”

The launch event saw staff, industry partners and employers explore the facility and its applications. 

Complementing the training units, the college has acquired three Toyota Mirai cars to demonstrate hydrogen’s use in real-world transport scenarios.

Jason added: “Whether through electrolysis, gasification or coupled with carbon capture, it is clear hydrogen will be a fuel of the future.

“We need to prepare our students for all eventualities. 

“We still teach students in traditional motor vehicle skills, as well as electrical vehicle maintenance, so to teach them about hydrogen and its capabilities, not just in vehicles on the road but in plant and industrial settings, is something we have a duty to do.

“If we are going to achieve net-zero and divert our reliance from fossil fuels, then we need to have more than one fuel source available. 

“Massive companies, like Toyota, are investing in hydrogen, so we want to give our learners the skills and confidence to benefit from those opportunities.”

The development aligns with the wider Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport hub, which includes a pioneering refuelling station at Teesside International Airport, funded by the Government. 

Modular refuelling units are already being trialled with buses, trains and airport handling vehicles, further underlining hydrogen’s growing role as a clean, alternative fuel across transport networks.

Sarah Walker, interim director of business solutions at Tees Valley Combined Authority, added: “We are bringing thousands of highly skilled jobs to Tees Valley, but it is vital local people have the right training to take advantages of the career opportunities available.

“It's therefore a key part of our plan to support high-quality training that meets the needs of employers to ensure we have the pipeline of local talent in place to support the rapid growth taking place in our region’s economy.”

Neil Holmes, regional manager – North of England at Hydrasun, added: “Hydrasun is proud to collaborate with Redcar and Cleveland College, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and other partners in delivering this demonstration hydrogen refuelling station and training panels. 

“This initiative offers an exciting opportunity for students and the future workforce to engage with hydrogen systems. 

“It helps them demystify hydrogen technology in a practical, everyday setting, while equipping them with valuable skills for the future.”

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