Securing Skilled Workers for the Hydrogen Economy: Closing Labor Gaps and Strengthening Training

Challenges and opportunities with a case study in Eastern Germany

The ramp-up of hydrogen as a power source presents the opportunity to take on a leading role in the energy transition. With a planned project volume of over 12 billion euros annually, the hydrogen economy is gaining traction as a key sector in Eastern Germany. However, the success of these plans depends on the availability of qualified skilled workers.

The study “The Expansion of the Hydrogen Economy in Eastern Germany Needs Skilled Labor“, commissioned by the Work and Environment Foundation of the IGBCE Union and conducted by WifOR Institute, addresses this topic. The analysis shows that planned projects could fail due to a shortage of skilled workers – unless training and collaboration are strengthened. Even today, 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.

For Eastern Germany to realize the potential of the hydrogen era, decisive action is needed. The study recommends: 

• Expanding apprenticeships and considering professional learning as part of the critical infrastructure.
• Promoting targeted training and re-skilling, especially for SMEs.
• Strengthening regional networks and participation to align qualification strategies with company needs.

A sustainable hydrogen economy can only succeed if organizations, politics, and employee representatives jointly invest in people, skills, and fair working conditions. This can convert the technological transformation into a societal one.

WifOR Institute supports partners from policy, business, and civil society in developing data-based, regional skilled labor assessments and training strategies for a fair, future-proof energy transition.