CQU’s hydrogen training in hot demand from Queensland industry
By Greg Chapman
CQUniversity is continuing to support major Queensland industries to implement hydrogen, with new training sessions being delivered to Fortescue, Stanwell, Ark Energy, CS Energy and various other government and industry partners.
This includes Stralis Aircraft, which are developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and aircraft in Queensland, that are emission free, cheaper to operate and quieter.
Stralis Aircraft and CQU are partners in the mission-led initiative Hydrogen Flight Alliance to make hydrogen-electric flight possible from 2026.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Business Development Manager Malcolm Garrick said the University’s non-accredited Hydrogen Fundamentals course had already been delivered 20 times to several Queensland-based organisations and another four are planned before the end of 2024.
“The sessions are part of CQU’s overall hydrogen and renewable energy strategic plan, which includes CQU’s Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (CHRE), the under-construction Hydrogen Central community information centre and our sector-leading training initiatives,” Mr Garrick explained.
“CQU’s School of Trades is instrumental in the training of these workforces with support from our CHRE researchers, who are working closely with the various companies.”
CQU has entered into several Memorandums of Understandings (MoU's) with industry partners, including Stanwell, CS Energy and Fortescue - to support their workforce development, research and engagement goals.
The Hydrogen Fundamentals training has been delivered on numerous occasions to teams in Perth, Townville, Brisbane, Chinchilla, Gladstone and soon Gracemere, near Rockhampton.
Mr Garrick and several process manufacturing teachers have delivered the training sessions alongside industry staff.
“To date the feedback has been very positive with 95 per cent of participants saying the training met their needs. Demand for the course is gaining momentum in other areas related to the new evolving energy industry in Queensland,” he said.
He added that new electrolysers from Aussie Fluid Power/Enapter, had recently been installed and commissioned at CQU’s Gladstone Marina campus, allowing for the delivery of specialised hydrogen training to be done on-campus.
“The new electrolysers are the mainstay of the course UEGNSG902 Commission, Operate and Maintain electrolysers, which has already been delivered to CS Energy employees, with a further session planned for September.”
To find out more about CQUniversity’s hydrogen training, please contact corp-train@cqu.edu.au.
For more information on CQU’s Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, please contact chre@cqu.edu.au.
