WNE College of Engineering is helping to shape the next generation of clean-energy professionals as a partner institution in a new federally funded initiative to prepare workers for emerging careers in the hydrogen economy. Powered by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the three-year collaborative project will deliver hands-on workforce training to individuals traditionally underrepresented in STEM and energy-sector fields.
The initiative is led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and brings together regional academic partners — including WNE — along with industry and community stakeholders to develop a one-year hydrogen-workforce curriculum that combines classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and paid industry internships.
Seyed Niknam, Ph.D., associate professor in the WNE Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, is a co-principal investigator on the project. Niknam will lead WNE’s contribution, drawing on his expertise in manufacturing engineering, systems integration, and applied energy operations to help design the curriculum and oversee student experiential learning.
“This is exactly the kind of industry-integrated, future-focused project that supports Western New England University’s mission through our newly established Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (CAMS),” said Dr. Seyed Niknam, WNE co-PI. “Our role is to help shape a training model that meets the needs of students and employers alike, and that opens doors for individuals who may not have traditionally had access to opportunities in advanced energy fields.”
A Model for Workforce Development
The program will support approximately 40 participants over three years, with the first cohort beginning in late 2025. Participants will receive stipends, complete four weeks of intensive hydrogen-focused technical training — covering hydrogen safety, production, and infrastructure — and then move into three-month paid internships with industry partners in the hydrogen, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
This initiative aligns directly with WNE’s commitment to Outcomes That Matter, expanding access to high-value career pathways and meeting workforce needs in clean-energy and advanced-manufacturing industries.
Why Hydrogen, Why Now
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a critical component of a sustainable energy future. Its ability to store and transport renewable energy positions it as a key solution in the global transition toward carbon-neutral energy systems. The new training program aims to build a talent pipeline to support this rapidly growing industry in Massachusetts and beyond.
WNE’s Impact
Through this partnership, WNE engineering students and alumni will gain access to emerging training opportunities, hands-on lab work, and internship pipelines. The project strengthens WNE’s position as a leader in engineering education, regional workforce development, and applied research that responds to real-world needs.
Applications and further details will be shared through the WNE College of Engineering as the program approaches its launch phase.
Adapted from WPI press release, 11/10/25
