The University of Orléans recognized as an expert in the field of green hydrogen
Already internationally recognized for its research on hydrogen combustion engines through the ANR Delhyce industrial chair, the OpenLab Energetics joint laboratory (in partnership with Stellantis), the Soonly joint laboratory (in collaboration with Phinia), and the France 2030 projects Hyceval and PL-H2, the University of Orléans (UO) is now set to further develop education and training for the hydrogen sector.
After submitting an application in December 2023 for the “Skills and Jobs of the Future” (AMI) call for expressions of interest, the University of Orléans has once again been selected as a laureate with its “HAPPIS – Hydrogen: Industrial Applications and Safety” project. For this project, the UO has been working alongside the University of Tours, INSA CVL, the Orléans-Tours regional education authority, the Centre-Val de Loire Region, the competitiveness clusters CARA, S2E2 and Polymeris, as well as Centre Sciences and the Elles Bougent association.
Through the French National Research Agency, the University of Orléans will receive €3.5 million over five years to accelerate the development of the hydrogen sector by 2030.
The HAPPIS Project: Making training programs evolve to integrate future skills for the hydrogen sector
The “Hydrogen: Industrial Applications and Safety” (HAPPIS) project addresses the needs of so-called “shortage occupations,” in particular those identified by France Hydrogène and published in the AMI CMA Diagnostic report “DEF’Hy.” These needs concern both the recognized skills delivered by higher and secondary education and the competencies required for the deployment of hydrogen ecosystems identified in the Centre-Val de Loire region, with the ambition of
becoming a leader in the field of green hydrogen.
Rooted in the regional area, HAPPIS aims primarily 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 and engineering, mechanics, electrotechnics, engineering, and research and development;
- operations, including installation, operation, industrial maintenance, and heavy-duty vehicles.
HAPPIS is committed to training 4,500 people connected to the green hydrogen sector by 2030, including:
- 1,500 professionals through 15 short training courses and certifications;
- 560 trainers in secondary, higher, and specialized vocational education;
- 1,600 students through 10 specialized hydrogen (H₂) programs for advanced technicians (BUT*) and engineers;
- 900 technicians at vocational baccalaureate and BTS* levels through 12 specialized H₂ programs (industrial maintenance, heavy-duty vehicle maintenance, boiler-making and welding);
and raising awareness among more than 1,000 upper-secondary students in general and technological programs, as well as 2,000 students in scientific fields.
HAPPIS also seeks to enhance the attractiveness of science and technology, through the hydrogen sector, among young people and the general public, while promoting gender diversity, inclusion, and social and territorial cohesion.
A project structured around 2 main areas
The 1st area “Higher Education and the Creation of New Educational Content,” comprising five tasks:
- T1 – Safety
- T2 – Hydrogen production, storage, and deployment
- T3 – Industrial decarbonization
- T4 – Decarbonized mobility (zero emission)
- T5 – Training of teachers and trainers, and the creation of a didactic and educational resource platform
The 2nd area “Links Between Pre-Baccalaureate, Higher and Vocational Education, and Attractiveness,” comprising four tasks:
- T6 – Training of professionals (continuing education)
- T7 – Development of vocational and scientific programs (Vocational Baccalaureate and BTS)
- T8 – Promotion and attractiveness of excellence scientific pathways for upper-secondary students through to doctoral level (BAC to BAC+8)
- T9 – Attractiveness of the hydrogen sector and dissemination of knowledge
Practical training will be based on 3 technical platforms located in Bourges, Blois, and Orléans. Investments in educational equipment will be supported by private and regional funding. These acquisitions will complement existing investments at the sites, thereby creating platforms of excellence for hands-on training related to the use of H₂.
A project built around three Higher Education and Research Institutions
List of initial training programs that will integrate hydrogen in the Centre-Val de Loire region:
University of Orléans
- BUT* Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (Orléans IUT)
- BUT* Energy Transition and Energy Efficiency Professions (Orléans IUT)
- Engineering Degree in Technologies for Energy, Aerospace and Propulsion (Polytech Orléans)
- Master’s Degree in Risk and Environment, CPRE specialization (Faculty of Science and Technology, in partnership with INSA Centre-Val de Loire)
INSA Centre-Val de Loire
- Engineering Degree in Energy, Risk and Environment (apprenticeship-based)
- Engineering Degree in Industrial Risk Management
- Engineering Degree in Industrial Systems Engineering
University of Tours
- Master’s Degree in Materials Science
- BUT* Physical Measurements (Blois IUT)
- BUT* Materials Science and Engineering (Blois IUT)
*BTS = Advanced Technician’s Certificate
*BUT = Bachelor of Technology (three-year undergraduate degree)
*H2 = Hydrogen
Call for Expressions of Interest “Skills and Jobs of the Future” (AMI CMA)
As a primary driver of the digital and ecological transitions, the training of young people and employees helps strengthen the human capital that is essential to the functioning of our businesses—and, more broadly, of society as a whole. It is also the most effective way to promote sustainable employment opportunities, across all qualification levels and throughout the entire country.
Training is also one of the key conditions for the success of the France 2030 plan: supporting the emergence of talent and accelerating the adaptation of education and training programs to the skills needs of new sectors and future professions. As part of this ambition, €2.5 billion from France 2030 will be mobilized to invest in human capital.
The “Skills and Jobs of the Future” Call for Expressions of Interest (AMI CMA) is part of the objectives and levers of the France 2030 strategy. In line with the government roadmap of 26 April 2023, it aims to accelerate training for future professions and to meet the needs of companies and public institutions in terms of education and training, training engineering, both initial and continuing, and the attractiveness of training programs, in order to enable the acquisition of the skills required for the jobs of tomorrow.