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With hydrogen touted as an important low-emissions energy source of the future, and the possibilities for Queensland on everyone’s lips, Toowoomba students will have a head start on the potential new industry when they attend a Future HyWay workshop today.

The workshop, made possible with support from the Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) is being run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Origin professionals will mentor the students through the one-day workshop where they will explore the production of hydrogen by electrolysis and the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel in a fuel cell.

From there, they will design a customised mini hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which they will then race in a challenge with their classmates.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the workshop links the science of hydrogen and its use as a clean energy source with the Australian Curriculum for the years 9 and 10 students.

“The workshop will build on the students’ knowledge of the gas and its uses and its potential as a low-emissions fuel source,” he said.

Dr Jen Thompson, Executive Officer AGIT said new hydrogen industries were tipped to create more than 7,000 new, highly-skilled high-tech jobs in Queensland by 2040, many of these in regional Queensland.

“This is why it’s important to inform students of this new industry, and the career opportunities it might offer them,” she said.

“Queensland has tremendous potential for green hydrogen production and Origin volunteers from our hydrogen team are delighted to give students an insight into what it is, how we would produce it and how it could help global efforts to decarbonise,” said Origin Energy general manager future fuels Tracey Boyes.

“We want to inspire students to take up more STEM subjects and consider careers at companies such as Origin, where they can help lead the energy transition,” she said.

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative, the QMEA seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.

The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

Media Contact: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770893 or Carolinem@qrc.org.au