Hydrogen Works launched with NPG contribution
A €3 million contribution from the National Groningen Programme will launch the Waterstof Werkt (hydrogen works) training programme. With the subsidy from the provincial programme, the project partners will develop a broad training programme in the field of hydrogen. This includes courses, training programmes, traineeships, and internships forvocational education,higher professional education,university and professional level. Adriaan Beenen, regional ambassador for the North at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and Nienke Homan, member of the Provincial Executive of Groningen and board member of the National Groningen Programme, presented a symbolic check to the partners involved today during the Wind Meets Gas symposium.
Waterstof Werkt
The province of Groningen will develop into the center of the hydrogen economy in the coming years, thanks to investments from both the government and the private sector. This creates opportunities for the region: growth, innovation, and employment. To make this new energy economy a success, the availability of sufficient skilled workers in the region is paramount.
The educational institutions involved are collaborating on a coordinated approach and program in the northern region. This includes establishing a learning community with businesses, focusing on retraining and upskilling, and a hydrogen knowledge database.
About the project
The program Waterstof Werktit is an initiative of New Energy Coalition in collaboration with educational institutions and the business community. The programme has a total budget of over 7 million euros and is further financed by involved partners from the business community, educational institutions, and New Energy CoalitionIn the coming years, Waterstof Werkt aims to boost regional education to meet the demand for knowledge for jobs in the sustainable energy sector and the hydrogen economy in particular. The project runs from 2022 to 2027.
The project consortium consists of: ROC Alfa-college, ROC Noorderpoort, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, University of Groningen, New Energy Coalition.
Co-financiers of Waterstof Werkt are: EBN, GasTerra, Gasunie, NAM, New Energy Coalition, Bouwend Nederland, Afeer, Stork, Municipality of Groningen, Shell Nederland.
About the National Groningen Programme
National Programme Groningenis working towards a bright future for all Groningen residents and has a 10-year term. The national government has allocated €1,15 billion to implement all projects. The province also plays a key role in this. Projects from the provincial programme (of the National Groningen Programme) are focused on the entire province and contribute to prospects and broad prosperity. Among other things, we aim for lower unemployment, higher disposable income, improved health, lower CO2 emissions, and a pleasant living environment. Over the next 10 years, the province will collaborate with Groningen municipalities and other government bodies, the business community, knowledge institutions, and social organisations to create a sustainable and future-oriented Groningen.
