GVNL Perspective Online | H2 Academy for Resato Hydrogen Technology

Resato Hydrogen Technology, based in Assen, is a frontrunner in green hydrogen technology. To keep pace with the rapid development of specialised knowledge, the company established the H2 Academy, a collaboration between education, research and industry aimed at training future professionals in the hydrogen economy.

From 55 to 180 employees

In 2023, Resato Hydrogen Technology became an independent company. Today, it constructs hydrogen refuelling stations across numerous European countries. Within just two years, the organisation expanded from 55 to 180 employees. “Through projects with universities of applied sciences (HBO) and vocational education institutions (MBO), we are able to successfully retain graduates,” says Maring. “However, that alone is not sufficient. We have also hired dedicated recruiters, invested in strengthening our employer branding, and provide information sessions at schools and industry fairs. One of our most successful initiatives is our open evenings, organised two to three times a year. Both young and experienced professionals can apply directly during these events. This approach has enabled us to recruit dozens of new colleagues.”

Lifelong development

The challenge now is to retain this growing workforce and enable their continued professional development. “That is why we established the H2 Academy in November 2024,” says Patrick Brouns, Dean of the H2 Academy. “Another important reason is the rapid pace of knowledge development. Much of this expertise currently resides in the minds of individuals. It is essential to institutionalise this knowledge, enabling us to offer workshops, courses and training programmes that equip groups of employees simultaneously with the skills and competences aligned with both our organisational needs and their personal ambitions.”

All employees participate in education or training at the H2 Academy at least once a year. The Academy also has a strong outward-facing orientation.“Resato Hydrogen Technology is not an educational institution,” Brouns explains. “For the development and delivery of our programmes, we therefore collaborate closely with knowledge centres, research universities (WO), universities of applied sciences (HBO), vocational education institutions (MBO), companies such as Stevast Techniek, and ENTRANCE, the Centre of Expertise Energy.”

Through ENTRANCE, Resato Hydrogen Technology participates in several initiatives under the Human Capital Agenda of GroenvermogenNL. “All of these initiatives focus on lifelong development,” Brouns adds. “By collaborating, we avoid duplicating existing educational programmes. At the same time, approximately 80 per cent of our expertise is relevant to other professionals and companies active in green hydrogen. Knowledge development is crucial for accelerating the green hydrogen economy. In this effort, we depend on one another.”

The transition to hydrogen is not only about technology — it is equally about people. An estimated 38,000 additional professionals will be required to support the growth of the hydrogen economy. However, the current supply of qualified talent is limited. To help bridge this gap, GroenvermogenNL advances targeted and accelerated upskilling and reskilling through its Human Capital Agenda. Ambitions for green hydrogen differ across regions. For this reason, GroenvermogenNL has divided the Netherlands into seven regions, each with its own roadmap and activities tailored to regional strengths and priorities. A key pillar of the Human Capital Agenda is the development of learning communities: collaborations between industry, education and research partners that enable joint learning and innovation. GroenvermogenNL fulfils a national coordinating role by connecting regions and initiatives, and by actively stimulating knowledge exchange. The Human Capital Agenda of GroenvermogenNL implements the Hydrogen Roadmap of the National Hydrogen Programme.

“The strength of companies such as Resato lies not only in their technology, but in their people. By embedding learning as an integral part of daily work, they demonstrate how growth can be accelerated — for individuals, for organisations, and for the hydrogen economy as a whole. That is precisely what GroenvermogenNL stands for.”

Marsha Wagner Programme Director, Human Capital Agenda GroenvermogenNL

How can we ensure that sufficient professionals are trained in time to work with green hydrogen? To address this challenge, GroenvermogenNL has developed Make Hydrogen Work, an initiative implemented by Platform Talent for Technology (PTvT). “To accelerate the energy transition, we must also accelerate the way we educate and train people,” says project lead Michiel de Vos. “With Make Hydrogen Work, we aim to shorten the time to job.”

Make Hydrogen Work collaborates with seven regional campuses across the Netherlands. Within these campuses, educational institutions and industry partners join forces to develop hydrogen modules and curricula aligned with regional needs and sectoral demand.

Through Make Hydrogen Work, these modules are connected to structured development pathways. This provides professionals and companies with a streamlined route to building expertise in green hydrogen. In doing so, the initiative supports both the influx of professionals from outside the sector and the continued development of employees within companies.

A uniform skills framework ensures that regionally developed programmes align with national and international standards. This alignment is made visible through microcredentials and open badges, enabling recognition across institutional and national boundaries.

Discover more about Make Hydrogen Work: https://groenvermogennl.org/make-hydrogen-work/