Sector education and training authority the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and JSE-listed energy and chemicals company Sasol have launched a green hydrogen fuel cell training system at Sasol’s operations in Sasolburg, in the Free State.

At the core of the training system is a working 50 W hydrogen fuel cell system, which allows learners to engage directly with the technology and understand key system functions through applied experimentation.

The programme is further strengthened by complementary training in solar PV and hydrogen-system fundamentals, positioning the training within the broader renewable energy and electrical trades ecosystem, CHIETA says.

The training system is specifically designed to bridge the gap between theory and industrial application, build foundational skills for emerging roles in the hydrogen economy and ensure safe, scalable training aligned with industry standards.

This training system was developed in collaboration with global fuel cell education specialists Heliocentris and provides a realistic, hands-on platform designed to equip learners with practical competencies in hydrogen fuel cell technology, the training authority says.

Collaboration on the development of the training system started in 2024, and CHIETA approved R1.8-million to fund its implementation in 2025.

“In the green hydrogen economy, no skills means no transition,” says CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay.

Aligning skills development with evolving market demands is important, Sasol emphasises.

The initiative, therefore, also addresses key industry constraints, including stringent safety requirements and the integration of hydrogen technologies into existing disciplines, such as electrical engineering.

Further, the project highlights the critical role of public–private partnerships in accelerating South Africa’s readiness for the energy transition, CHIETA says.

As global investment in green hydrogen continues to gain momentum, initiatives such as this position South Africa not only as a participant in the emerging market, but as a producer of the skills required to sustain and grow it.