Testimonial on the training course “Introduction to Hydrogen Systems – Project Management” delivered by AUXO and the Symbio Hydrogen Academy (SHA) as part of the European programme Green Skills for Hydrogenand funded by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region.
Axel GIOFFREDI
Project Manager at GCK Energy
From mechanical engineering to project management
I began with two years in a Mechanical and Production Engineering university course (IUT), followed by a degree in management (IAE) and a master’s degree at a business school (specialising in mobility and transport).
This combination of technical and managerial education led me to a position as a project manager at an automotive equipment supplier, and later to GCK Energy, through which I joined SHA.
The course: “Introduction to Hydrogen Systems – Project Management”
Co-led by AUXO and SHA, this course allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of hydrogen, especially on fuel cells, which are at the heart of Symbio’s expertise.
Although new to this field, I’ve always been passionate about automobiles and transport issues, so this opportunity to understand the hydrogen ecosystem was essential.
The course covers almost the entire hydrogen value chain and is aimed at a wide audience (professionals in the ecosystem, regardless of their background) who want to acquire foundational knowledge outside of their initial field.
The objective is to provide a project-management-oriented approach, teaching fundamental concepts in order to offer a global understanding of the industry’s challenges and technologies.
The aim is not to create specialists, but to give project stakeholders (from industry, local authorities, etc.) the tools and clarity to ask the right questions for the success of hydrogen-related projects.
A positive and enriching learning experience
What I particularly remember is the warm welcome at Symbio’s gigafactory in Lyon, the high quality of the experienced trainers, and the comprehensive training materials.
The site and workshop visits offered a real-world insight into the scale of these projects, confirming my belief that hydrogen is a viable solution for the future.
I especially appreciated the presentations on fuel cells, safety, hydrogen production, and its practical uses.
Multiple benefits
This course further strengthened my interest in hydrogen by offering a detailed overview of how it is used in vehicles and various applications.
I was able to clearly understand how a fuel cell works by seeing its components and how they are manufactured.
It was essential for me to understand the link between this energy carrier and how a hydrogen-powered vehicle operates.
The real-life impact of the training
Today, as a project manager at GCK Energy, my tasks are diverse: adapting our solutions to client needs, writing regulatory documents, and managing the installation of applications in partnership with suppliers.
Thanks to this training, I’ve gained a comprehensive view of the hydrogen ecosystem.
Given my job and the company’s focus on innovation and sustainable mobility, I’ve only deepened my interest in this fast-evolving sector.
It’s a valuable course I would recommend to anyone looking to build skills in this field.
