Fife College recently celebrated the launch of the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for gas engineers. Developed in partnership with energy network SGN, the facility is based at the College’s Levenmouth campus and marks a key milestone in preparing the workforce for the energy transition.
The centre will train over 100 Gas Safe registered engineers this year, providing them with the green skills needed to convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen. These engineers will play a vital role in the green hydrogen trial – H100 Fife – which will supply hydrogen to homes in Levenmouth through a dedicated, purpose-built network.
Training is delivered by experts from Fife College, supported by industry professionals. Courses have been developed by Fife College in collaboration with SGN over the past two years, with input from BPEC, Energy & Utility Skills, and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).
Every participating engineer will gain an official hydrogen qualification added to their Gas Safe registration, ensuring they are competent to install, test, and maintain hydrogen appliances in domestic settings.
Jim Metcalfe, Principal of Fife College, commented:
“Fife College is proud to be a national leader in clean energy skills as we launch this dedicated hydrogen training facility. We are honoured to work in such a deep and innovative partnership with SGN.
“Through this cutting-edge centre at our Levenmouth campus, we are working to upskill over 100 engineers with the specialist knowledge needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero.
“This collaboration with SGN forms part of our wider commitment to sustainability, which also includes the opening of our new Dunfermline City Campus – Scotland’s first net-zero-ready vocational training campus – later this year.”
Simon Kilonback, CEO of SGN, added:
“The opening of the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe engineers is a major milestone for SGN and the energy sector as a whole.
“We’re excited to be working with the local community as we deliver our end-to-end hydrogen network in Fife. This is a key part of our wider plans to harness the potential of green gases like hydrogen and biomethane to help decarbonise homes and businesses.”
The training centre offers hands-on experience with hydrogen appliances and systems, supported by leading manufacturers such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Clean Burner Systems (CBS), Bosch Home Appliances, and MeteRSit.
Gary Smith, General Secretary of GMB, the UK’s largest energy union, welcomed the launch:
“The opening of this hydrogen training centre is a milestone for the gas industry and its workforce. As we transition to a net-zero economy, it’s vital that we not only protect jobs but also ensure that workers are upskilled for the future.
“This centre will empower today’s engineers to safely work with hydrogen while preparing them for roles that will shape the transition to green energy. It’s a testament to the resilience of the workforce and their ability to adapt to the changing energy landscape.”
The engineers being trained from SGN, Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Warmworks will help convert natural gas homes to hydrogen when the H100 Fife trial launches later this year. Fife Council staff will also be trained, supporting the commitment to future-proofing the local workforce.
The launch of this training centre highlights the essential role of skilled engineers in making hydrogen a viable, low-carbon energy source.
About Hydrogen Gas
Heating in buildings accounts for over 20% of national carbon emissions, so decarbonising heat is essential to delivering net zero. Hydrogen is a clean burning alternative to fossil fuels from which we can harness energy. It has a wide range of applications across key energy sectors, including heat, power and transport. Alongside other low carbon technologies, such as biomethane and heat pumps, hydrogen could play an important role in transitioning homes across the UK away from fossil fuels.
About H100 Fife
The H100 Fife project is being delivered by gas distribution network SGN and will be the first trial in the UK to deliver green hydrogen gas into homes for heating and cooking. Green hydrogen can be created using clean energy like wind power, meaning there are no harmful carbon emissions involved. H100 Fife will provide evidence regarding uses of hydrogen, supporting UK government work. Find out more here.
About Fife College
Fife College is one of the largest colleges of higher and further education in Scotland with five main campuses located in Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Leven, and Rosyth. The College offers around 400 courses, from essential skills to graduate degree programmes, in more than 40 different subject areas, with 95% of Fife College students progressing into either employment or further studies after completing courses. Over 20,000 students currently study either full-time or part-time at the College, which also hosts the Carnegie Conference Centre, a University Hub, and the Andrew Carnegie Business School.
Key Facts
- UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe* registered engineers opens at Fife College.
- Over 100 local engineers will be upskilled to safely install and maintain hydrogen appliances for SGN’s H100 Fife project.
- The centre is a key milestone for H100 Fife which will deliver an end-to-end green hydrogen gas network, providing heating and cooking for several hundred local homes.
* All engineers working on domestic gas appliances in the UK must be on the Gas Safe register, and as such are referred to as Gas Safe engineers
