Securing Skilled Workers for the Hydrogen Economy

Closing Gaps and Promoting Training  – A case study from Eastern Germany 

The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy opens the opportunity to assume a leading role in the energy transformation. While the sector is expanding in Europe, various challenges need to be addressed. 

In the EU, there were 512 operational hydrogen production facilities in 2023 – 36 more than in 2022 (Source: European Hydrogen Observatory). By 2025, the European Union aims to cover around 10% of its energy needs with renewable hydrogen, according to the European Commission. Nevertheless, member states like Germany are facing obstacles such as heterogeneous regulations and fossil fuel subsidies that hamper transition efforts.

Eastern Germany in particular can become a key driver of this transition, with a planned project volume of over €12 billion annually. However, its success depends – among other factors – on the availability of qualified skilled workers. They are needed both for operating new plants but also for constructing the necessary infrastructure.

WifOR’s study “The Ramp-up of the Hydrogen Economy in Eastern Germany Needs Skilled Labor,” commissioned by the IGBCE Foundation for Work and Environment, shows that the planned expansion threatens to fail due to a shortage of skilled staff. Many companies are struggling to fill vacancies in chemical, technical, and skilled trades. At the same time, the regional labor supply is declining due to demographic change and emigration. 

The Ramp-up of the Hydrogen Economy in Eastern Germany Needs Skilled Labor (in GERMAN) Download

For Eastern Germany to untap the potential of hydrogen, decisive action is needed. The study recommends, among other measures:  

• Expanding apprenticeships and considering vocational training as part of critical infrastructure 
• Promoting targeted further training and retraining, especially for SMEs 
• Strengthening regional networks and the attractiveness of career paths in this industry 

A sustainable hydrogen economy can only succeed if companies, policymakers, and employee representatives jointly invest in people, skills, and better working conditions. By implementing data-based regional strategies, they can make the sector future-proof and secure long-term resilience.