STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION FOR THE GROWING HYDROGEN ENERGY SECTOR IN UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/NPU-VOU.2025.4(99).11Keywords:
education, green hydrogen, qualifications, skillsAbstract
The draft Hydrogen Strategy of Ukraine aims to transform the country into a key player in Europe's transition to clean energy, achieving 10 GW of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030. Despite the clear strategic and economic rationale for this transition, the development of human capital for the new energy system remains neglected by educational institutions. An analysis of the EU educational landscape reveals a multi-level approach to workforce development in the hydrogen energy sector. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Europe focus on high-level research and innovation, while vocational education and training programs address immediate labor shortages. This is complemented by an ecosystem of continuing professional education and industry certifications. In the article, the authors propose a multi-level qualifications framework for Ukraine, adapted to its needs and aligned with EU educational vectors. This framework covers VET-level technicians, HE-level engineers, and researchers, creating the conditions for the systematic development of human capital, attracting investment, and realizing ambitions in the field of green hydrogen.
References
Про затвердження переліку галузей знань і спеціальностей, за якими здійснюється підготовка здобувачів вищої та фахової передвищої освіти : Постанова Кабінету Міністрів України від 29.04.2015 № 266. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/266-2015-%D0%BF#n11
Al-Borno, A., Li., Y., Islam, M., Rogozinski, J., & Mistry, J. (2022). Using Coatings to Mitigate Hydrogen Embrittlement in Pipelines. Materials Performance, 61, 36–40.
Blanco, H. (2025). Unlocking Ukraine’s Hydrogen Opportunity: A Roadmap. Retrieved September 05, 2025, from International Energy Agency: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/c44e4ec9-784f-48dc-945b-459416d3acd2/UnlockingUkrainesHydrogenOpportunity_ARoadmap.pdf
Central European Hydrogen Corridor. (n.d.) Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://www.cehc.eu/
CertifHy. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.certifhy.eu/
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (recast). Official Journal of the European Union, L 328/82.
Energy and Power Group. (n.d.). Strategic Hydrogen Integration for Effective Low-carbon Development. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://epg.eng.ox.ac.uk/shield/about-the-project
Enginuity. (n.d.). What skills might you need? Retrieved October 3, 2025, from https://enginuity.org/tools-and-resources/tech-explained/future-skills-hub/demystifying-hydrogen/what-skills-might-you-need
European Hydrogen Observatory. (2025). The hydrogen education and research landscape. Retrieved October 28, 2025, from https://observatory.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-10/Report%2003%20-%20The%20European%20hydrogen%20education%20and%20research%20landscape.pdf
European Hydrogen Observatory. (n.d.). Observatory Reports. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://observatory.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/tools-reports/observatory-reports?keys=education&created=&year=&items_per_page=10
European Training Foundation. (2025). Three years of war: Ukraine's resilience, Europe's support, and the future of skills and employment. Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://www.etf.europa.eu/en/news-and-events/news/three-years-war-ukraines-resilience-europes-support-and-future-skills-and
Ferrero, D., & Santarelli, M. (2024). Hydrogen Skills Core VET Curriculum. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from Green Skills for Hydrogen: https://greenskillsforhydrogen.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/D3.1-Green-Skills-for-Hydrogen-Hydrogen-Skills-Core-VET-Curriculum.pdf
Green Hydrogen Organisation. (n.d.). Ukraine. Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://gh2.org/countries/ukraine
Hydrogen Centres of Vocational Excellence. (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://h2cove.eu/
Hydrogen Europe Research. (n.d.). EU Projects. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu/projects/
HyResponder. (n.d.). European Hydrogen Train the Trainer Programme for Responders. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://hyresponder.eu/
IFP School. (n.d.). Hydrogen skills. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://www.ifp-school.com/en/about-us/why-choose-our-school/hydrogen-skills
Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. (n.d.). Department of Chemical Technologies and Resource Saving. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://en.knutd.edu.ua/university/faculties/fcht/aetpcf/
Luxembourg Hydrogen Valley. (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://luxhyval.eu/
SH2AMROCK. (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://www.sh2amrock.eu/
Sustainability Directory. (2025). Green Hydrogen Skills Gap Future Workforce. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://prism.sustainability-directory.com/scenario/green-hydrogen-skills-gap-future-workforce/
Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt. (n.d.). Hydrogen Technologies and Economics (M. Eng.). Retrieved September 14, 2025, from https://www.thi.de/en/electrical-engineering-and-information-technology/degree-programmes/mechanical-engineering/degree-programmes/hydrogen-technologies-and-economics-meng/
The CPD Certification Service. (n.d.). Hydrogen Energy – Online course. Retrieved September 6, 2025, from https://www.cpduk.co.uk/courses/european-energy-centre-hydrogen-energy
Topolski, K., Reznicek, E. P., Erdener, B. C., San Marchi, C. W., Ronevich, J. A, Fring, L., ... Chung, M. (2022). Hydrogen Blending into Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure: Review of the State of Technology. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Retrieved September 6, 2025 from https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/81704.pdf
Tyquin, E., Newton, C., Mehta, A., & Brodie, A. (2021). Mapping of Key Stakeholders in Hydrogen & LNG Supply Chains. Crawley, WA: Future Energy Exports CRC.
TÜV Rheinland. (n.d.). Green hydrogen certification. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from https://www.tuv.com/landingpage/en/hydrogen-technology/main-navigation/certification/certification-of-green-hydrogen/
TÜV SÜD. (n.d.). Hydrogen Storage Methods. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from https://www.tuvsud.com/en-us/themes/hydrogen/explore-the-hydrogen-value-chain/hydrogen-storage-and-distribution
Ukrainian Hydrogen Council. (n.d.). Achievements. Retrieved September 05, 2025, from https://hydrogen.ua/en/about-association/achievements
University of Padua. (n.d.). Energy Engineering. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://apply.unipd.it/courses/course/50-energy-engineering
