The UK’s first dedicated hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe registered engineers has officially opened at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus.
The facility will train over 100 Gas Safe registered engineers this year, equipping them with the green skills needed to safely convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen. This training is essential for the engineers who will be involved in SGN’s green hydrogen trial, H100 Fife, which will supply green hydrogen to homes in Levenmouth through a new purpose-built network.
The training centre offers hands-on experience with hydrogen appliances and systems, supported by manufacturers such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Clean Burner Systems (CBS), Bosch Home Appliances and MeteRSit. It will ensure that engineers gain the knowledge and competency to safely install, test, and maintain hydrogen appliances and heating systems in domestic settings, advancing the UK’s transition to green energy solutions. Every engineer taking part will gain an official hydrogen qualification added to their Gas Safe registration.
Training will be delivered in Fife by expert trainers with experience in delivering gas training with support from industry professionals. SGN has developed the courses in partnership with Fife College for the past two years, alongside key stakeholders such as certification body BPEC, Energy & Utility Skills and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).
In addition to SGN engineers, staff from companies such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Warmworks, and Fife Council will undergo the training, as part of efforts to ensure the region’s workforce is prepared for a low-carbon future.
“Fife College is proud to be a national leader in clean energy skills as we launch this dedicated hydrogen training facility,” says Jim Metcalfe, principal of Fife College. “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. Together, these landmark developments place Fife College at the forefront of delivering the skills and infrastructure needed to shape a more sustainable future for us all.”
Gary Smith, general secretary of GMB, the UK’s largest energy union, adds: “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 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.
