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Launch of the HAPPIS project: Polymeris supports skills development for the hydrogen sector

Already recognized worldwide for its research on hydrogen combustion engines—notably through the ANR Delhyce industrial chair, the OpenLab Energetics (with Stellantis) and Soonly (with Phinia) joint laboratories, and the France 2030 Hyceval and PL-H2 projects—the University of Orleans is taking a new step forward by committing to the development of training for the hydrogen sector.

As part of the call for expressions of interest “Skills and Jobs of the Future,” an application was submitted in December 2023 by the University of Orleans, in collaboration with the University of Tours, INSA Centre-Val de Loire, the Orleans-Tours Academy, the Centre-Val de Loire Region, the CARA, S2E2 and Polymeris competitiveness clusters, as well as Centres Sciences and the Elles Bougent association. This consortium was selected for the HAPPIS project – Hydrogen: Industrial Applications and Safety, which aims to meet the skills needs of the hydrogen sector by 2030.

Polymeris, as a competitiveness cluster, will play an active role in supporting the project by facilitating links between industrial, academic, and regional players to ensure that the training offered is in line with the sector's specific needs.

Developing training programs to incorporate future skills for the hydrogen sector

The “Hydrogen, Industrial Applications and Safety” (HAPPIS) project responds to the needs of so-called “high-demand” professions, particularly those identified by France Hydrogène and published in the AMI CMA Diagnostic “DEF'Hy” report. These are skills recognized in higher and secondary education, as well as those needed to roll out the hydrogen ecosystems identified in the Centre-Val de Loire region in order to become a leader in the field of green hydrogen.

Anchored in the regional territory, HAPPIS's main challenge is to train technicians (80%) and engineers (20%) in order to meet the needs of the hydrogen sector by 2030, particularly in the following professions:

• mechanical design, mechanics, electrical engineering, engineering, and research and development,
  operation (installation, operation, industrial maintenance, and heavy vehicles);

HAPPIS is committed to training 4,500 people involved in the green hydrogen sector by 2030:

• 1,500 professionals through 15 short courses and certifications;
• 560 trainers in secondary, higher, and specialized vocational education
• 1,600 students across 10 specialized H2 training courses for senior technicians (BUT*) and engineers;
• 900 technicians with vocational baccalaureate (BAC Pro) and advanced vocational diploma (BTS*) qualifications across 12 specialized H2 training courses (industrial maintenance, heavy vehicle maintenance, boilermaking and welding);

and raise awareness among more than 1,000 high school students in general and technological streams and 2,000 students in scientific streams...

HAPPIS also aims to make science and technology attractive to young people and the general public through the hydrogen sector, as well as to promote diversity and social and territorial inclusion.

Project structured around two areas:

Axis 1, “Higher education and creation of new educational content,” consists of five tasks:

• Q1 – Safety
• Q2 – H2 production, storage, and deployment
• Q3 – Decarbonization of industry
• Q4 – Decarbonized mobility (zero emissions)
• Q5 – Training for teachers and trainers and creation of a platform for teaching and educational resources

Axis 2, “Links between pre-high school, higher education, and vocational training, attractiveness,” consists of four tasks:

• T6 – Professional training – Continuing education
• T7 – The evolution of professional and scientific training (vocational baccalaureate and advanced vocational diploma)
• T8 – Promoting the value and appeal of scientific fields of excellence among high school students up to master's level
• T9 – The appeal of the hydrogen sector and the dissemination of knowledge

The practical training will be based on three technical platforms in Bourges, Blois, and Orléans, with investments in teaching materials provided by private and regional funding. These equipment purchases will supplement existing investments at the sites, creating platforms of excellence for practical work related to the use of H2.

Project built around three higher education and research institutions

List of initial training courses that will incorporate hydrogen in the Centre-Val de Loire region:

• University of Orleans
  
  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering (IUT Orleans)
  • Bachelor's Degree in Energy Transition and Efficiency (IUT Orleans)
  • Engineer in Energy, Aerospace, and Motorization Technologies (Polytech Orléans)
  • Master's Degree in Risk and Environment, CPRE option (UFR Sciences et Techniques with INSA Centre-Val de Loire)
• INSA Centre-Val de Loire
  
  • Engineer in Energy, Risk, and Environment (apprenticeship)
  • Industrial Risk Management Engineer
  • Industrial Systems Engineering Engineer
• University of Tours
  
  • Master's in Materials Science
  • BUT in Physical Measurement (IUT Blois)
  • BUT in Materials Science and Engineering (IUT Blois)