The hydrogen industry is expected to become a major global employment driver, with an estimated 2.5 million jobs as demand for clean energy continues to rise, an industry expert said during the Green Jobs Forum 3 by the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI).

During his lecture on April 8 at the University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City (UP BGC), Leonard Edward Travis, director for business development in APAC of Maryland-based hydrogen production startup Ally Power, Inc., stressed that hydrogen is a fast-growing industry with about 15% annual growth and strong long-term potential.

He emphasized that it is not a declining sector, but a new one that offers opportunities for both fresh graduates and professionals from related industries, especially in clean energy work with real climate impact.

“It’s got growth potential, 2.5 million jobs globally, and hopefully something like this motivates you: growth, skills, and impact,” he said.

Travis outlined career opportunities in the hydrogen industry, noting the three main pathways: technical, business, and operations roles.

Technical work focuses on plant operation, optimization, and the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), and real-time systems to improve efficiency.

Business roles, on the other hand, center on education, sales, and global communication to promote hydrogen as a key energy security solution, while operations cover plant management, human resources (HR), logistics, and finance to ensure profitability and sustainability.

“It’s a growing industry I should say, with multiple entry points,” Travis said. “It’s not just about these three areas because we also need people who are going to provide security, we need people who are going to be able to provide safety and monitor safety.”

According to Travis, support roles such as safety, security, maintenance, and data-driven functions like cybersecurity and SCADA systems. 

He described safety as a very important area in the hydrogen industry, especially since it is already well developed in the United States and Europe, but still emerging in the Philippines. This, he added, makes it a good opportunity for those who want to be early movers in the field.

“This involves people like ISO and many other certifying organizations. If you’ve got experience in ISO, this is a great place to look as an entry point for this industry,” Travis suggested.

The Ally Power executive noted that even entry-level jobs, from technicians and machine operators to maintenance staff, play a vital role. 

Other opportunities span government, utilities, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and consulting, shipping, research, startups, and power infrastructure, including emerging areas like ammonia shipping and microgrids, which were also identified as highly in demand.

Travis encouraged students and job seekers to identify their strengths and align them with suitable career paths, whether in technical, business, or operations roles.

“You don’t want to get involved in something that’s going to be torture or not compatible. So, identify the target sector, research three companies or projects, update your resume, schedule two networking calls,” he advised.

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