The government is aiming to develop a skilled workforce of around 600,000 individuals within the next six years to support its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, reported The Economic Times.
This initiative stems from an evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to ascertain the demand for skilled labor throughout the entire value chain until 2030. According to a senior government official speaking with ET, this analysis will serve as the foundation for devising a plan in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Concurrently, the MNRE, which spearheads the National Green Hydrogen Mission, has circulated preliminary guidelines for workforce development and aims to finalize them by the end of the month following feedback from stakeholders by May 16.
According to the proposed guidelines, workforce development under the mission will encompass short-term training, upskilling through recognition of prior learning, establishment of centers of excellence at designated institutions, and incorporation of curriculum-based long-duration training at various educational institutions, industrial training institutes (ITIs), polytechnics, and universities. The green hydrogen value chain comprises five distinct stages: renewable energy generation, hydrogen production, transformation, storage and transport, and end-use applications.
Recognizing the specialized skill sets required for the advancement and utilization of hydrogen technologies, the government emphasizes the necessity for a cohesive workforce development program involving multiple institutions. “A significant aspect of this program will involve retraining workers from declining sectors to be integrated into the green hydrogen sector and its related ecosystem,” noted the official.
