February 12, 2022

North America leads global growth in standardized training for wind turbine techs

This event is archived

83% increase sees over 8000 courses completed in 2019. North American employers set sights on 10,000+ in 2020

Demand from major wind energy employers for standardized safety training has led to a major increase in the use of Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards in North America.

The training, which covers basic safety and basic technical skills for one of the fastest growing jobs in America, almost doubled in 2019, with training providers across key wind states like Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Wisconsin completing over 8000 courses last year.

Much of the growth stems from a concerted effort by major wind energy employers including GE Renewable Energy, Avangrid Renewables and Vestas, to encourage more of the standardized GWO training to be made available in North America.

Together,those companies formed the GWO North America Committee in 2019, to collaborate as an industry and bring the standards into the U.S.A and Canada. Year-over-year in North America, the number of training courses completed increased to 8,003 in 2019 from 3,920 the year earlier. The figures come from the GWO Annual Report 2019, which is published today.

“Leaders across North America see the value of standards in the wind industry,especially as the need for talent grows by leaps,” says Brian Walencik, Chairman of the GWO North America committee and EHS Leader for GE Wind, Onshore.  “I thank GWO training providers for helping to deliver safety for the industry and each individual technician.”

Picture courtesy of Nordex Acciona/The Nordex Group

Articles

Cedros and Scott Access Services Put Propel on Facebook

GWO training providers are pushing ahead with the Propel campaign

GWO TP Safer at Work Hold Propel Careers Event

GWO training providers are pushing ahead with the Propel campaign

Polish Fishermen Transition to Careers in Wind Through GWO Training

GWO training equipped them with the skills they needed to become wind technicians

Articles

Military transition has never been easier

Military transition has never been easier

Throughout its relatively short history, the wind industry has benefited from men and women bringing their skills and experience into the exciting world of work as a wind turbine technician.
Read article
Vestas and EDPR get behind jobs programme in Brazil’s remote North-East

Vestas and EDPR get behind jobs programme in Brazil’s remote North-East

One of the defining characteristics of northeastern Brazil’s status as a prime location for wind farms is also causing problems in recruiting local talent. Now, thanks to a new programme called ‘Keep it Local’ 25 residents of Caiçara do Rio do Vento are being trained in GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) and are on the pathway to begin new careers in wind.
Read article
Workrise Technologies Achieves GWO Certification

Workrise Technologies Achieves GWO Certification

The trend continues for proven standardized training across the wind industry
Read article
Ready to explore your options?
Find more information on your options, or discuss your possibilities directly with a GWO representative.
Get started in wind energy
Find more information on your options start by browsing our lists of training providers near you