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Engaging Women in the Hydrogen Sector for a Greener Future
In the global push towards a clean energy future, women are playing a key role in shaping the green hydrogen industry. Since 2021, UNDP has been working with the People’s Government of Nanhai, Foshan, to develop the UNDP-China Greater Bay Area Hydrogen Economy Vocational College, an initiative designed to address the shortage of skilled professionals and ensure a sustainable talent pipeline for the hydrogen sector. Through an innovative dual-accreditation program, this project is equipping a new generation of professionals with the expertise needed to drive the hydrogen transition. The project focuses on empowering women, ensuring they have equal opportunities to engage in every stage of the hydrogen value chain—from education and production to industry leadership. As of 2023, female students had increased to nearly thirty per cent of enrollment, reflecting a shift towards gender equality in STEM fields.
On this International Women’s Day, we spotlight some of the remarkable women shaping the future of sustainable energy through UNDP’s hydrogen projects. Their contributions are not only transforming the industry but also ensuring a more inclusive and just energy transition for all.
Driving Hydrogen Innovation Through Women’s Leadership
Yu Dan
Yu Dan speaking at a seminar during the UNDP Hydrogen Industry Talent Development Summit in Foshan, Guangdong.
With over two decades of experience in hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle projects, Dan, a 44-year-old from Jilin currently working in Beijing, has been a driving force behind UNDP’s hydrogen initiatives. As a project manager working with China Automotive Technology & Research Center Co. Ltd (CATARC), a project partner, she oversees project implementation and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Dan’s leadership has been critical to the Foshan Project, where she bridges vocational colleges, hydrogen companies, and industrial alliances. Her colleagues and coworkers are inspired by her efficient workstyle, characterized by clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and meticulous organization. Dan’s efforts have resulted in the creation of trainee and internship programs, expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in China’s growing hydrogen sector. Recognizing the urgent demand for skilled talent in the hydrogen industry, Dan advocates for more robust scientific talent development systems, enhanced incentive structures, and strengthened assessment criteria.
Deng Kailun
Deng Kailun presenting at the hydrogen vocational skills competition in Foshan, Guangdong.
For Kailun, a 32-year-old from Guangdong, the hydrogen sector represents more than just tech innovation —it’s a catalyst for transforming traditional manufacturing and advancing social justice. She recognized early on the Foshan Project’s potential to create opportunities for women. Since joining the South China Green Car Industrial Promotion Center in 2018, Kailun has been a driving force behind key hydrogen development projects, including the Foshan Project, through her coordination efforts. As a mid-level manager, she led her team in expanding strategic partnerships, securing MoUs between more than 10 hydrogen and fuel cell companies and local vocational colleges, strengthening the talent pipeline for the sector. Passionate about empowering the next generation, she encourages young people, particularly women, to pursue careers in this vital sector, which she believes is central to the green transition. Inspired by the many female CEOs, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals she has encountered, she is determined to demonstrate that gender is not a barrier to success in the hydrogen industry and that women can contribute equally to the energy transition.
Empowering the Next Generation Through Hydrogen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Li Shan
Li Shan demonstrating hydrogen facility operation and maintenance at the Foshan Hydrogen Vocational Skills Competition.
Shan, a 35-year-old lecturer at Foshan Polytechnic’s School of New Energy and Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Engineering, believes education should be more than just theory- it’s about empowering students with practical, real-world skills. Since 2019, she has been dedicated to integrating hands-on learning into her teaching using competitions, entrepreneurship projects, and science outreach to inspire the next generation of hydrogen professionals. In 2024, she demonstrated her commitment to practical skills development by winning the top prize as a staff contestant in the inaugural hydrogen vocational skills competition in Foshan. Shan believes the Foshan Project offers students invaluable real-world experiences, helping them develop teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Looking ahead, she envisions the project’s global partnerships creating new TVET opportunities, ensuring that future generations can play an active role in the clean energy transition.
Huang Yiling
Huang Yiling repairing a hydrogen facility component at the Foshan Hydrogen Vocational Skills Competition.
At just 20 years old, Yiling is already making her mark in the hydrogen industry. A student at Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, she has thrived in the program’s dynamic learning environment, which combines theory with real-world industry experiences. Through practical maintenance training and industry exposure, she gained the technical skills and confidence needed to pursue a successful career in hydrogen. In 2024, Yiling demonstrated her talent by winning a prize at the inaugural hydrogen vocational skills competition in Foshan —a particularly remarkable achievement as the only female student to receive this recognition. Her success highlights the project’s role in empowering young women to become future practitioners and leaders in the clean energy sector. Upon graduation, Yiling aspires to join a local hydrogen company, leveraging the region’s industrial growth to build a fulfilling career. She also hopes to inspire greater community engagement in the energy transition.
Female Growth in the Hydrogen Industry
Chen Xiaomin
Chen Xiaomin managing a hydrogen system at her workplace in Guangzhou, Guangdong.
Xiaomin, a 23-year-old from Guangdong, has transformed her passion for hydrogen technology into a promising career. Soon after graduating from the Hydrogen TVET program at Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering in 2024, she joined SinoHyKey, a prominent company driving the industrialization of MEA (a key component in hydrogen facilities) in Guangdong. Now, working as a production technician, she is at the frontline of hydrogen innovation, demonstrating exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Xiaomin’s journey from student to industry professional is one of aspiration and determination. What began as an academic interest in hydrogen technology quickly evolved into a career in a cutting-edge industry. She attributes her smooth transition from student to professional to the hands-on training and school-industry collaboration offered by the Foshan Project’s TVET program. This practical experience allowed her to step confidently into her role, well-prepared for the challenges of production technology.
