South Africa launches first green hydrogen skills programmes

In a landmark announcement that resonates far beyond its borders, South Africa has officially approved the nation’s first-ever green hydrogen skills programmes. This pivotal development, spearheaded by the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and formally sanctioned by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), signals a decisive leap forward in building South Africa’s capacity for a sustainable, inclusive, and decarbonized energy future. On April 30, 2025, the QCTO gave its crucial nod to three new National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 programmes: Green Hydrogen Production (SP-250503, 29 credits), Green Hydrogen Storage and Transfer (SP-250504, 28 credits), and Green Hydrogen Technology (SP-250505, 29 credits).

These groundbreaking programmes are the first of their kind in South Africa, meticulously designed to equip learners with the vital technical and operational skills indispensable across the entire green hydrogen value chain. From the intricacies of production and the complexities of storage to the logistics of transportation and the frontiers of technology innovation, these qualifications promise to cultivate a workforce ready to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving sector.

“The green hydrogen economy is not a distant dream; it is unfolding now,” declared Yershen Pillay, CEO of CHIETA, his voice brimming with optimism. “These CHIETA-led programmes represent a decisive step toward a cleaner, more equitable energy future, rooted in skills development, sector transformation, and national progress.”

Vision 2025: The Blueprint for a Green Revolution

The genesis of these vital qualifications can be traced directly to CHIETA’s ambitious Vision 2025, launched in 2021. This strategic roadmap astutely identified green hydrogen as a core focus area to galvanize South Africa’s energy transition. At its heart, Vision 2025 recognized green hydrogen’s transformative potential not just as an energy source, but as a powerful engine for inclusive industrial growth, a critical tool for decarbonization, and a fundamental pillar for promoting nationwide sustainability.

“Vision 2025 marked a turning point for CHIETA as we committed to leading skills development for the emerging green economy,” Pillay reflected. “This wasn’t just about creating qualifications; it was about future-proofing our workforce and ensuring no one is left behind in the energy transition.” This human-centric approach is crucial. For too long, energy transitions have risked leaving communities and workers behind, but South Africa’s strategy emphasizes a “just transition” – ensuring that as the nation moves away from fossil fuels, new opportunities are created, and existing workforces are re-skilled and supported.

Following the strategic direction set by Vision 2025, CHIETA embarked on an intensive collaborative journey. This involved close consultation with a broad spectrum of stakeholders: industry leaders, seasoned training providers, technical experts, and influential government bodies. This multi-faceted collaboration has culminated in these three nationally recognized qualifications, each meticulously crafted to meet the precise, real-world demands of a fast-evolving green hydrogen sector. This collaborative spirit ensures that the skills imparted are not theoretical but immediately applicable, enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully from day one.

Why Green Hydrogen? Why Now? A Global Imperative, a National Opportunity

Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, has emerged globally as a game-changing clean energy solution. Unlike “grey” hydrogen (produced from natural gas) or “blue” hydrogen (with carbon capture), green hydrogen generates no greenhouse gas emissions during its production, making it a cornerstone of efforts to combat climate change.

In South Africa, the urgency for green hydrogen is particularly acute. The nation, historically reliant on coal for its energy needs, faces immense pressure to decarbonize its economy while simultaneously addressing persistent issues of energy insecurity, poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Green hydrogen is seen as a multi-faceted catalyst, capable of driving industrial growth, unlocking significant export potential, and accelerating the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and heavy transport.

South Africa’s unique confluence of abundant renewable energy resources—particularly its vast solar and wind potential—and a strong, established chemical industry base places it in an enviable position to lead the continent’s green hydrogen revolution. The country’s favorable climatic conditions and expansive land availability provide a conducive environment for scaling up large-scale renewable energy projects, essential for competitive green hydrogen production. This natural advantage, coupled with strategic port infrastructure and a central location on global shipping routes, positions South Africa as a potential global powerhouse in green hydrogen.

However, this immense opportunity hinges entirely on one critical factor: the availability of a skilled workforce. As Pillay emphasized, “These programmes ensure we don’t just talk about a just energy transition; we deliver it. We’re building the technical pipeline needed to support a green economy, while opening up career opportunities for youth, artisans, and operators across multiple industries.” Without the right skills, the vision of a thriving green hydrogen economy would remain just that – a vision.

A Just Energy Transition: Skills as the Cornerstone of Equity

The concept of a Just Energy Transition (JET) is paramount in South Africa. It’s not merely about switching from fossil fuels to cleaner energies; it’s about doing so in a way that safeguards vulnerable workers and communities, enhances energy security, drives industrial growth, fosters innovation, and ensures economic diversification. South Africa’s JET Investment Plan (JET IP) commits to this transformative shift, aiming to reduce emissions while creating new, sustainable economic opportunities.

Skills development is the undeniable bedrock of this transition. The JET IP’s skills portfolio is designed to build a well-coordinated, responsive, resourced, and effective skills ecosystem that actively involves labor, communities, businesses, and government. This integrated approach aims to ensure that South Africa possesses an employable, skilled, and capable workforce capable of not only growing the renewable energy sector but also supporting those whose livelihoods are impacted by the move away from coal. It means proactively supporting affected workers and communities to transition into new economic opportunities, offering hope and stability amidst change.

The three QCTO-approved qualifications are direct manifestations of this commitment. They will prepare learners for a diverse range of roles in green hydrogen production, storage, transport, and technology, providing pathways to new careers in a rapidly expanding sector.

Careers of the Future: What These Qualifications Unlock

For individuals, these new qualifications represent tangible pathways to exciting, future-proof careers. Learners completing these programmes will be equipped with practical, in-demand skills, ready to contribute to South Africa’s green economy. They will learn to:

• Operate and maintain hydrogen production and storage equipment: This involves understanding the intricate machinery and processes involved in creating green hydrogen, from electrolyzers to compression systems, and ensuring their efficient and safe operation.
• Coordinate technical activities and logistics: Managing the safe and efficient movement of hydrogen, whether by pipeline, truck, or ship, requires precise logistical planning and adherence to strict safety protocols.
• Monitor environmental impacts and performance of hydrogen technologies: A critical aspect of green hydrogen is its environmental footprint. Graduates will be trained to assess and optimize the ecological impact of these technologies, ensuring true sustainability.
• Understand safety, regulatory, and industry standards: Working with hydrogen demands rigorous adherence to safety regulations. These programmes instill a deep understanding of national and international standards, crucial for safe operations and compliance.

Graduates of these programmes will be prepared for a wide array of essential roles, including:

• Operators: The hands-on professionals who manage and monitor the day-to-day running of green hydrogen plants.
• Artisans and Maintenance Technicians: Skilled tradespeople crucial for installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining the complex equipment in hydrogen facilities.
• Logistics Professionals: Experts who ensure the seamless and secure transportation of hydrogen and its derivatives.

These roles span various sectors critical to South Africa’s economic diversification, including energy, transport, manufacturing, and the chemical industries. For a young person looking to enter the job market, or an experienced worker seeking to re-skill, these qualifications offer a tangible bridge to the jobs of tomorrow. They promise not just employment, but meaningful contributions to a cleaner planet and a more prosperous nation.

The Power of Accreditation: Bringing Skills to Life

With QCTO approval now secured, the next crucial phase involves the accreditation of Skills Development Providers (SDPs). This rigorous process ensures that training institutions have the necessary infrastructure, qualified educators, and practical facilities to deliver the programmes to the high standards demanded by the QCTO. Once accredited, SDPs can officially begin offering these programmes, unlocking access for aspiring learners across the country.

CHIETA’s commitment extends beyond qualification development and approval. The Authority is actively providing strategic guidance and support to SDPs, helping them navigate the accreditation process and ensuring successful programme delivery. Furthermore, CHIETA is embarking on a comprehensive national awareness campaign to promote uptake, build the necessary training infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to these programmes across all provinces. The overarching goal is to cultivate a robust and inclusive workforce, primed to support South Africa’s ambitious green hydrogen aspirations. This proactive approach aims to prevent skill shortages from becoming a bottleneck to the burgeoning industry.

The Broader Impact: Catalyzing Economic Growth and Innovation

The approval of these green hydrogen qualifications is more than just an educational milestone; it’s a strategic national investment. South Africa has positioned itself as a key player in the global green hydrogen market, and this move solidifies its commitment. The country’s vision, outlined in its Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM), sets ambitious targets: deploying 10 gigawatts (GW) of electrolysis capacity in the Northern Cape by 2030 and producing approximately 500 kilotons of hydrogen annually by the same year. This growth is projected to create 20,000 jobs annually by 2030 and 30,000 by 2040, a significant boost to a nation grappling with high unemployment.

Major initiatives like the Hydrogen Valley and the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Hub are tangible expressions of this ambition. The Hydrogen Valley aims to create an industrial cluster integrating various hydrogen applications, stretching from Mokopane in Limpopo through Johannesburg to the port of Durban. The Boegoebaai Hub, a massive industrial zone, is envisioned to host multiple facilities including an electrolyzer park, green ammonia production, and renewable energy plants. These projects, alongside others like the COALCO2-X Project (which uses green hydrogen and captured pollutants from coal-fired boilers to produce valuable products) and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Project, highlight the diverse applications and profound economic ripple effects of a thriving green hydrogen sector.

Developing a domestic green hydrogen value chain promises enormous socio-economic benefits. Beyond direct job creation, it will lead to significant economic growth, improve air quality by reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy security by diversifying the energy mix. For communities, especially those historically reliant on fossil fuel industries, this transition presents a unique opportunity for revitalization and new economic pathways. However, challenges remain, including the need for massive expansion of low-cost renewable energy capacities, attracting substantial investment, and overcoming regulatory hurdles. Experts also warn that without mechanisms like carbon pricing, significant subsidies may be needed to support future green hydrogen initiatives.

South Africa on the Global Stage

South Africa’s proactive stance in skills development for green hydrogen is attracting international attention and collaboration. Partnerships with entities like the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the KfW Development Bank are providing substantial funding and support for green hydrogen projects, reinforcing South Africa’s competitive edge in producing and exporting green hydrogen. This global interest underscores the recognition of South Africa’s potential, not just as a consumer, but as a significant producer and exporter of this critical clean energy resource.

The approval of these green hydrogen qualifications is a testament to South Africa’s foresight and commitment. It demonstrates a clear understanding that a truly transformative energy transition is not merely about technology or investment, but fundamentally about empowering people with the skills they need to participate, thrive, and lead in the new green economy. It’s about ensuring that the dream of a cleaner, more equitable future becomes a tangible reality for every South African.

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photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

12th June, 2025