South & City College Birmingham unveiled its new £1.5m cutting-edge hydrogen vehicle training centre, addressing the growing demand for skilled technicians in the transition to alternative fuels.
The £1.5 million workshop, situated at the college’s Bordesley Green Campus, was officially opened by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker last week, who described it as “a very important milestone” for the region.
The 450 square-metre ATEX-compliant centre aims to train new technicians and upskill existing automotive workers in hydrogen vehicle maintenance. The facility includes an Enginius Bluepower hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) to provide hands-on training experience.
“Commercial fleet operators such as National Express will require suitably trained engineers to maintain their fleets,” said Mike Hopkins MBE, principal at SCCB. “This workshop complements our existing electric vehicle programmes, ensuring we address the entire hybrid vehicle sector.”
The centre will offer several professional qualifications, including IMI Level 1 hydrogen vehicle awareness, Level 2 routine maintenance, and Level 3 FCEV system repair certifications. Future plans include higher education mechanical engineering courses and advanced electric/hybrid vehicle diagnostics.
Simon Hyde, CEO of vehicle manufacturer FAUN Zoeller UK, highlighted the importance of skills development in hydrogen technology: “We’ve got the product, we’re decoupling infrastructure, and now we’re breaking down skills barriers ready for hydrogen’s arrival.”
