The FITech Hydrogen project concluded at the end of 2025
From 2023 to 2025, the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE) funded the FITech Hydrogen project. During the project, education related to the hydrogen economy was provided to over 2000 learners. The project was coordinated by Aalto University. In addition to Aalto University, teaching was provided by Tampere University, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Oulu, the University of Turku, the University of Vaasa, and Åbo Akademi University. LUT University also participated in designing the training.
The project’s educational offering was developed in collaboration between the FITech network’s member universities and the Finnish Hydrogen Cluster to cover the entire value chain of the hydrogen economy. The course portfolio included topics such as hydrogen production, storage, logistics, use, geopolitics, project management and the circular economy.
Hydrogen skills badge as evidence of accumulated competence
In 2024, the hydrogen project developed FITech’s first skills badge broader than a single-course completion: the FITech H2Xpert skills badge. The badge is awarded to adult learners who have successfully completed at least three hydrogen-related courses via FITech. Although the badge is not an official certificate, it enables holders to demonstrate broader competence in hydrogen-related topics.
The first recipient of the badge, Iida-Maria Seppä, describes the hydrogen studies as comprehensive and useful. Her interest in studying the hydrogen economy grew as she observed the field continually developing. The competence accumulated through FITech’s courses, together with formal qualifications, is an advantage in working life.
“Hydrogen has been a topic that’s started to emerge at work over the past couple of years. At first it was just on the margins — that something was coming — and now it’s becoming more and more visible in our work, in requests for tenders and also generally,” says Iida-Maria.
In addition to Iida-Maria, many other adult learners have also earned the FITech H2Xpert badge. You can read student stories and learn about the hydrogen skills badge on FITech’s website. Read more about the FITech H2Xpert badge.
FITech courses provide insights into hydrogen economy business
In addition to the universities, numerous partner companies and industry organisations contributed not only to the design of the training but also to creating course content. These included Technology Industries of Finland, the Finnish Hydrogen Cluster, Finnish Energy, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK, ABB, Neste, eTehdas, P2X Solutions, and Gasgrid, all of which played an active role in implementing the project.
The joint FITech Hydrogen project course by the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland was held twice during the project. On the course, teams comprising degree students and adult learners tackled real-world challenges faced by companies working in the hydrogen economy and sought solutions together with them. Four Finnish companies took part: Kelluu, Helen, eTehdas and P2X Solutions.
In April 2025, FITech organised a webinar titled “Clean Industrial Dealin vaikutukset vetytalouden kehitykseen” — the impact of the Clean Industrial Deal on the development of the hydrogen economy — where experts explained current regulation steering the hydrogen economy from a business perspective. The webinar was produced in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Hydrogen Cluster, P2X Solutions, Gasgrid, the European Commission Representation in Finland, and the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Finland office.
FITech’s education provision continues and evolves
The Finnish Hydrogen Cluster sees major business opportunities for Finland in the hydrogen economy. To create the conditions for the Finnish hydrogen economy to grow and develop, a significant increase in educational provision is needed to meet skills demand.
During the project, degree students’ interest in hydrogen-economy courses grew steadily. Supported by successful project collaboration, a new master’s programme in the hydrogen field, Hydrogen and Electric Systems, was established at Aalto University. According to student feedback from FITech courses, the main motivation for studying the hydrogen economy was the desire to develop expertise in the field and the positive impact this would have on future career development. Some respondents also felt they needed new skills in their current jobs.
Although the project has ended, FITech’s offering will continue to include hydrogen-related training. The FITech H2Xpert badge can still be earned as well. FITech will continue to develop hydrogen-economy education in university cooperation, both in degree programmes and in continuing education, and the network’s operation will continue on other FITech projects. See FITech’s ongoing projects.
FITech Network University thanks the funder and partners for the successful collaboration during the FITech Hydrogen project!
