As a specialist recruiter aligned with the industrial engineering and plant sector, we’re closely following the latest Hydrogen Update to the Market published by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 23 July 2025. This biannual report lays out how hydrogen policy and infrastructure development in the UK are evolving and what it means for heavy plant operators and workforce demand in construction equipment.

Key policy shifts & infrastructure momentum

• The Government has now enabled the use of hydrogen‑powered off‑road machinery by regulatory change effective 29 April 2025, following consultation by the Department for Transport.
• Hydrogen is increasingly positioned as the ideal fuel for high-powered mobile machinery that operates under heavy duty cycles, remote or grid-constrained sites, or around-the-clock schedules, making it highly relevant to large excavators, loaders, cranes, and generators.

In addition, 10 UK green hydrogen projects under the Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) were authorised in July 2025 to begin construction across regions including Teesside, South Wales, Bradford, North Scotland and others. These developments come with significant job creation potential, especially roles linked to on-site engineering, commissioning, project management, and specialised equipment technicians.

Real‑world demonstrations & equipment innovation

• June saw the completion of the UK’s first large‑scale hydrogen-powered construction machinery trial during the Lower Thames Crossing project, signalling hydrogen’s real-world applicability for heavy equipment.
• In Rotterdam, Hitachi Energy partnered with Air Products and Hitachi Construction Machinery to power a battery‑type electric excavator using a hydrogen fuel-cell generator demonstrating zero-emission operation on a live construction site. These trials highlight the transition path from diesel to hydrogen-powered or hybrid plant equipment.

Implications for the Heavy Plant & Construction Equipment sector

Hiring Hotspots

• Hydrogen integration specialists, fuel-cell maintenance teams, and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure technicians will see growing demand.
• Projects like HAR1 and green hydrogen electrolysis sites will create roles in construction, commissioning, and supply-chain coordination.
• As demonstration trials expand, plant operators and fleet managers with exposure to hydrogen-powered or battery-electric earthmoving machinery will become sought-after.

Skills Gaps & Training Needs

• Existing diesel-trained technicians will require up-skilling or reskilling, particularly around fuel-cell systems, hydrogen safety protocols, and hybrid control systems.
• The Certification for hydrogen handling, understanding of storage/compression equipment, and familiarity with regulatory standards are set to be differentiators.

Sector Risks & Cautionary Signals

While UK momentum builds, global context warns of uncertainty:

• Cancellations and delays in projects across Europe, Australia, and the US are emerging due to high production costs and tepid demand, with implications for supply reliability and cost of hydrogen.
• In the US, the extension of the vital 45V green hydrogen tax credit until January 2028 may spur more project starts, but eligibility and timeline constraints imply only a portion of planned capacity may qualify.

Recruitment outlook: Navigating hydrogen transition

At ELITE, our niche in heavy plant and industrial equipment means we’re already sourcing and placing talent for this emerging hydrogen transition:

• Hydrogen-capable equipment engineers: individuals who understand both conventional diesel systems and emerging hydrogen/battery systems.
• Skilled commissioning and maintenance crew with fuel-cell, compressor, and refuelling infrastructure credentials.
• Project and operations managers with demonstrable experience in deploying low-carbon mobile plant assets on site.

As hydrogen gradually becomes an accepted solution for low-carbon heavy equipment, the workforce must evolve accordingly. We’re here to support employers and candidates navigating this shift, delivering the hydrogen‑aware talent needed to deliver projects on time, safely, and sustainably.

If you'd like to discuss how hydrogen may reshape roles in your business or need help sourcing engineers versed in hydrogen-powered plant, feel free to get in touch with our Associate Director Simon at simon@elitecn.co.uk or call on 0121 450 5000.