Yeovil College has officially opened its pioneering Hydrogen Lab (YC H₂ Lab), marking a major milestone in technical education and green energy innovation for the South West.
The launch event welcomed industry leaders, educators, and partners to celebrate this first-of-its-kind facility in England.
The Hydrogen Lab is designed to deliver specialist training across sectors including advanced engineering, construction and automotive. 
The aim is to upskill existing professionals and prepare new entrants for careers in the rapidly evolving hydrogen economy. Initial programmes will focus on hydrogen safety, generation, storage and distribution, facility operations and fuel cell applications for transport and aerospace.
This investment forms part of Yeovil College’s ambitious strategy to support the UK’s transition to net zero and strengthen regional skills.
Equipped with cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell training systems and integrated within the Advanced Engineering Centre, the lab offers hands-on experience alongside theoretical learning.
It also complements the college’s new battery evaluation testing equipment, ensuring learners gain insight into future propulsion technologies for eVTOL and UAV applications.
Principal Mark Bolton said: “The Hydrogen Lab represents a bold leap into the future of technical education. We’re proud to lead the way in hydrogen and aerospace training, preparing learners for sectors vital to the UK’s green economy.”
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