Free courses set to fuel Queensland’s hydrogen future
Growing Queensland’s future hydrogen workforce has taken another step forward with secondary school students now having the opportunity to enrol in free hydrogen-focused online learning programs under a new partnership between the Palaszczuk Government, CQUniversity and industry.
Fuelling a hydrogen future: STEM Skills for Secondary Learning courses have been developed to target Years 7 – 10 and Years 11 – 12 and are curriculum-aligned for easy integration into the classroom environment.
The online learning program is a key action under the Queensland Government’s Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032, released in July 2022.
The online programs were developed by CQUniversity in partnership Stanwell Corporation and ACCIONA Energía to build important industry-school connections and showcase the Queensland hydrogen and renewable energy sectors to our future workforce.
Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said: “We are investing in our young people in their schools through the expansion of our Gateway to Industry Skills Program (GISP) to include hydrogen.
"The free online learning resources will equip Queensland high school students with industry-relevant foundational skills and the tools needed to make a decision about career pathways in the hydrogen sector.
“Hydrogen GISP captures more than 2000 students across 32 Queensland schools over three years. Now we have gone one step further with online opportunities," Minister Farmer said.
“I’m pleased to see this partnership come together between the Queensland Government and CQUniversity to provide our students with more learning opportunities which could lead to better career options, particularly in emerging industries.
“Facilitating access to education and training through programs like this, will help build the skill base and boost our workforce. Queensland is leading the nation in job creation – we want to make sure that all Queenslanders have access to training and to new and exciting opportunities no matter where they are located.”
CQUniversity’s Dr Cal Devney who coordinated the development of the micro-credentials explained that students will develop Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills relevant to participating in the emerging hydrogen industry.
“The micro-credentials are now available for enrolment by Queensland secondary students and offer them with a great foundational base to further develop their skills and knowledge and realise pathways into the hydrogen sector.
“Secondary students completing the hydrogen-focused micro-credentials may wish to continue their studies through CQUniversity’s Start TAFE Now and Start Uni Now (SUN) courses available to secondary students in Years 11 and 12, including the SUN Fundamentals of Sustainable Energy Course which incorporates hydrogen and renewable energy modules.
“The micro-credential for Years 11 and 12 will also be aligned to the QCAA Senior Syllabuses and 21st Century Skills,” Dr Devney said.
Chief Executive Officer of Stanwell, Michael O’Rourke said: “Stanwell is committed to working with industry partners across a variety of sectors to help drive the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry and the use of other new technologies.
“We know the workforce of tomorrow is in the classroom today. Through collaboration with partners like CQU, we are able to leverage our expertise and help create learning pathways for the energy sector leaders of the future,” Mr O’Rourke said.
General Manager of Brand and Marketing, ACCIONA Energía, Caroline Bommes explained that without renewables there is no green hydrogen and without people there’s no renewables.
“Programs like these are a step towards getting the workforce that will be needed for the energy transition and capitalising on our green hydrogen opportunity.
“The opportunities for students to undertake these courses can set them on the path for a long-term and secure career in the emerging industry," Ms Bommes said.
“Our collaboration with CQUniversity on these new courses allows young people to get a foot in the door in a rapidly growing industry.”
In July 2022, the Queensland Government released the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032, the nation’s first dedicated workforce development plan for the hydrogen industry. For more information on the Hydrogen Roadmap visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/employment/strategies/hydrogen.
Students, teachers or parents wanting to register or find out more about the courses can visit Fuelling a Hydrogen Future: STEM Skills - CQUniversity.
