Yeovil College Launches Pioneering Hydrogen Lab for the South West

Yeovil College has officially launched its groundbreaking Hydrogen Lab (YC H₂ Lab), establishing a nationally significant hydrogen skills asset for the South West. Opened on 24 October, the facility represents the first of its kind in England and reinforces the region’s growing role in hydrogen innovation, clean energy skills, and advanced manufacturing.

Designed to support the emerging hydrogen economy, the YC H₂ Lab delivers specialist, employer‑aligned training across advanced engineering, construction, automotive, and aerospace sectors. Programmes focus on hydrogen safety, generation, storage and distribution, operational systems, and fuel cell applications. The lab has been developed to both upskill the existing workforce and prepare new entrants for careers across hydrogen production, integration, and deployment.

A key feature of the Hydrogen Lab is its role in delivering new hydrogen qualifications aligned to the Hydrogen Skills Framework developed by Cogent, ensuring national consistency and employer relevance. These qualifications will be accredited by SIAS as the awarding body, providing robust, industry‑recognised certification to support workforce readiness and progression across the South West and beyond.

Located within Yeovil College’s Advanced Engineering Centre, the Hydrogen Lab is equipped with cutting‑edge hydrogen fuel cell training systems and complements the College’s battery evaluation and testing capabilities. Together, these assets provide learners with hands‑on experience of future energy and propulsion technologies, including those supporting eVTOL, UAV, and next‑generation transport applications—positioning the South West at the forefront of low‑carbon innovation.

Mark Bolton, Principal and CEO of Yeovil College, said:
“The Hydrogen Lab represents a step‑change in how we support the UK’s transition to net zero. By investing in specialist facilities and accredited hydrogen qualifications, we are ensuring the South West has the skilled workforce needed to lead in hydrogen, aerospace, and clean energy technologies.”