RWFI Hydrogen Workforce Resource

About the NETL RWFI: 

The NETL Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI) serves as a platform for consistent, meaningful, and results-driven engagement, fostering collaboration and partnerships with key workforce, education, and economic development stakeholders. These stakeholders play a vital role in transforming U.S. DOE and NETL Energy and Advanced Manufacturing technological research investments into lasting economic development and workforce opportunities for both the Appalachian region and the Nation.

Job Opportunities in the Hydrogen Economy

A. Hydrogen Production

• Blue Hydrogen (Fossil Fuels + Carbon Capture):
  • Roles in upgrading natural gas facilities with carbon capture technology.
  • Jobs in operating and maintaining steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR) systems.
• Green Hydrogen (Electrolysis):
  • Jobs in manufacturing and operating electrolyzers.
  • Maintenance roles for renewable energy sources (solar, wind) powering electrolysis.

B. Storage and Transportation

• Construction and operation of hydrogen storage facilities (e.g., tanks, salt caverns).
• Jobs in pipeline construction and retrofitting for hydrogen transport.
• Development of hydrogen-powered shipping and aviation solutions.

C. Infrastructure Development

• Fueling Stations:
  • Installation and maintenance of hydrogen refueling stations for vehicles.
• Distribution Networks:
  • Pipeline technicians, truck drivers, and logistics managers.

D. End-Use Applications

• Transportation:
  • Jobs in manufacturing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, buses, trains, and ships.
• Industrial Use:
  • Roles in sectors using hydrogen as a feedstock (e.g., steel, ammonia, and chemicals production).
• Power Generation:
  • Employment in hydrogen fuel cell development and power plant retrofitting. Workforce Needs and Training The hydrogen economy will demand a mix of traditional and specialized skills:
• Energy Sector Workers:
  • Skills from oil & gas, renewable energy, and chemical industries are directly transferable.
• New Training Programs:
  • Courses in fuel cell technology, electrolyzer operation, and hydrogen safety protocols.
• Upskilling and Retraining:
  • Programs for transitioning fossil fuel workers into hydrogen-related roles.

Hydrogen 101 Webinar Series

• Hydrogen 101- Building Effective Community Engagement in Hydrogen Hubs - Our first webinar of the NETL RWFI Hydrogen 101 Series was entitled Building Effective Community Engagement Strategies, and was held on June 6th 2024 from 11-12 PM . We delved into the findings of the Energy Futures Initiatives (EFI) Factbook/Report: "Building Stronger Community Engagement in Hydrogen Hubs." The factbook presented insights garnered from a comprehensive survey of nearly 5,000 individuals hailing from disadvantaged, tribal, labor, and environmental justice communities. Madeline Shomburg Director of Research at EFI will be presenting the findings of the report as well as providing a regional lens to the results.
  • Presentation PDF
  • Presentation Playback on Youtube

• Hydrogen 101- The Hydrogen Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities - Our second webinar of the NETL RWFI Hydrogen 101 Series focuses on challenges and opportunities in workforce development. The guest speaker for this webinar was from Hydrogen Education for a Decarbonized Global Economy (H₂EDGE) and they discussed lessons learned and progress towards creating training and educational content related to the US Hydrogen Economy.  
  • Presentation PDF
  • Presentation Playback on Youtube

Hydrogen Workforce Online Resources

• Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Career Map: Find your career in Hydrogen with the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Career Map
• U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap: The U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap explores opportunities for clean hydrogen to contribute to national decarbonization goals across multiple sectors of the economy. It provides a snapshot of hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States today and presents a strategic framework for achieving large-scale production and use of clean hydrogen, examining scenarios for 2030, 2040, and 2050.
• U.S. DOE Hydrogen Shot: The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy Earthshots Initiative aims to accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade. Achieving the Energy Earthshots will help America tackle the toughest remaining barriers to addressing the climate crisis, and more quickly reach the Biden–Harris Administration's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while creating good-paying union jobs and growing the economy.
• Increase your H₂IQ: Find easy-to-understand information about hydrogen (H₂) and fuel cell technologies here! Increase your H₂IQ by checking out our fact sheets and other introductory resources.
• Hydrogen Hubs Selections National Labor & Workforce Briefing (youtube.com)
• H₂EDGE Past Workshops and Events
  • Connect the Dots: Linking Hydrogen Education to Workforce Development Needs — an H₂EDGE Workshop
  • H₂EDGE Hydrogen Curriculum Workshop

H₂Edge Courses

• H₂EDGE VIRTUAL - Hydrogen in Power Generation, October 29-31,2024
• H₂EDGE VIRTUAL - Hydrogen Applications in a Low-Carbon Economy, October 9-10, 2024

Funding Opportunities

• Notice of Intent (NOI) to Issue Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Decarbonization DE-FOA-0003439
• Oxygen-conducting SOFC and SOEC Research and Development for Hydrogen Production
• Gasification of Alternative Feedstocks

Upcoming Events

• RWFI Hydrogen 101- Hydrogen Workforce, Challenges and Opportunities - October 15th 1-2 PM ET- Join us for our second webinar of the NETL RWFI Hydrogen 101 Series entitled The Hydrogen Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities, where we will hear from the Hydrogen Education for a Decarbonized Global Economy (H₂EDGE) initiative about lessons learned and progress towards creating training and educational content related to the US Hydrogen Economy.
• Geologic Hydrogen Workshop 2024 - A workshop on geological hydrogen, hosted by the US Arctic Research Commission and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, will be held October 29-31, 2024, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Fairbanks, AK.