Island visit helps create Durban hydrogen lab
A senior delegation from the Stornoway campus of UHI North, West and Hebrides have returned from a visit to South Africa having established a formal partnership with a Durban-based college to advise on training and education in the field of hydrogen power.
TheThekwini TVET College specialises in technical and vocational courses which are designed to the needs of the country’s economy, with clean energy a rapidly growing sector.
The team from Stornoway were: Roddy Ferguson, Curriculum Manager for Engineering; Joe Macphee, Head of Strategic Projects; Dr. Alasdair Macleod, Engineering Lecturer; and Dr. Roy Bartle, Curriculum Development and Projects Developer. The trip was backed by the British Council’s Going Global initiative,
The visit focused on establishing a dedicated training laboratory at the college and developing technician-level training courses aligned to the needs of the emerging hydrogen sector.
Roddy Ferguson, Curriculum Manager for Engineering at UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “UHI North, West and Hebrides has a proud track record of delivering global, industry-aligned training in renewable energy.
“During this visit, our staff provided specialist training to eight Thekwini College lecturers and engaged with a broad range of industry, academic, and government stakeholders. The relationships we’ve established are key to ensuring this partnership has a long-lasting impact on South Africa’s green hydrogen future.”
A highlight of the visit was a high-profile multi-stakeholder event at Thekwini TVET College’s Melbourne Campus, which brought together representatives from Durban University of Technology, Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority, and the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority, alongside other key partners.
Roddy added: “There’s a real opportunity here to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals. Thekwini TVET College is well positioned to become a leading centre for hydrogen technician training in KwaZulu-Natal, and UHI NWH is proud to play a pivotal role in this transformation. With support from research institutions and financial backing from EWSETA, we are bringing world-class training that aligns with industry needs.”
Maria O’Connor, Principal of Thekwini TVET College, commented: “In a significant step toward advancing South Africa’s green energy transition, Thekwini TVET College has partnered with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to drive skills development and knowledge transfer in the emerging green hydrogen sector.
“The collaboration was formally showcased during an engagement session held on 1 April 2026 at Thekwini TVET College’s Melbourne Campus, bringing together international delegates, academic institutions, sector education bodies, and industry stakeholders, all united by a shared vision of positioning technical and vocational education at the forefront of South Africa’s green hydrogen economy.
“A unified message emerged: collaboration is not optional—it is essential. All stakeholders expressed firm commitment to jointly develop and implement green hydrogen skills programmes at Thekwini TVET College.
“Through this partnership, Thekwini TVET College is positioning itself as a national leader in green hydrogen training within the TVET sector, supporting economic growth, job creation, and decarbonisation.”
Pertunia Mothiba of the British Council said the trip represented “a key milestone in the International Skills Partnership for green hydrogen” which “exemplifies the power of international collaboration, promoting shared learning, and knowledge exchange, and supporting South Africa’s transition to a sustainable, green economy.”
Plans for a reciprocal visit by Thekwini TVET College representatives to UHI NWH’s Stornoway campus later this year are already in motion.