Occupations of the future in the hydrogen economy: Opportunities and challenges in the labor market

Occupations of the future in the hydrogen economy: Opportunities and challenges in the labor market

10.04.2025, Poznań, MTP, PCC, level 1, stage 3, 1:30-2:50 pm

Description

Transformations in the energy industry, including the growing role of hydrogen in the decarbonization process, are creating new professional opportunities and requiring a transformation of the labor market. These changes involve not only the development of technology and innovation, but also the need to create new competencies and specialized roles that will support the development of hydrogen-based green energy. Professions of the Future will explore how the development of the hydrogen economy will shape new career paths, what professions will emerge due to the introduction of hydrogen technologies, and what skills will be key in the coming energy transition.

The audience will have the opportunity to learn about new professions related to hydrogen production, distribution, storage and utilization, and the education, training needs and challenges of providing the right skills for younger generations will be discussed.

Thematic scope

1.Hydrogen as a driver of modern professions in the energy industry:

• What new professions will be created by the development of the hydrogen economy?
• The role of hydrogen engineers, hydrogen storage specialists, electrolyzer operators and hydrogen transportation experts.
• What skills will be key in working with hydrogen technologies?

2. Education and labor market competencies:

• What education and training programs should be developed to prepare young people for work in the hydrogen energy sector?
• What changes in vocational and academic education are needed to meet the needs of the future labor market?
• Cooperation between universities, companies and government institutions in creating hydrogen-related career paths.

3. Transformation of existing professions:

• What occupations traditionally associated with the energy sector will evolve toward hydrogen technologies (e.g., electrician, energy specialist, mechanical engineer)?
• How to adapt the current energy sector workforce to the new hydrogen challenges?
• Transdisciplinary competencies - how will the combination of knowledge from different fields (e.g., engineering, ecology, finance) become key in hydrogen professions?

4. Challenges of creating new hydrogen professions:

• What technological and regulatory barriers are likely to affect the development of new hydrogen jobs?
• Challenges of certifying new occupations and recognizing professional qualifications at the national and international levels.
• What investments in research and development and educational infrastructures will be key to making the hydrogen market development sustainable?

5. The role of public-private cooperation in creating the professions of the future:

• What actions are companies, governments and international organizations taking to support the creation of new hydrogen professions?
• What initiatives, such as scholarship programs, partnerships or research projects, can support young professionals in developing hydrogen careers?

6. Sustainability and social responsibility of hydrogen professions:

• What hydrogen professions will have the greatest impact on sustainability and environmental protection?
• How to prepare future industry leaders to make decisions related to the balance between economic development and caring.

The goal is to indicate how the hydrogen economy will affect the labor market in the energy and other industries, what new professions will emerge, and how education and training should evolve so that the younger generation is ready for the challenges of the green transition. The open debate with the audience also aims to identify what skills and competencies will be key for future leaders in the hydrogen sector, and how collaboration between universities, government and the private sector can support the creation of innovative career paths in this rapidly growing industry.