GWO Safety & Training Awards 2026 – FAQ

1.

1.a Who is eligible to participate as an instructor? Only instructors who meet all of the following criteria are eligible:

• They must be registered as Instructors in WINDA prior to June 2025.
• They must be employed by a GWO Certified Training Provider.
• They must not have won the Instructor of the Year award in previous editions.
• All nomination materials submitted must comply with the latest GWO Requirements for Training and GWO Requirements for Certification.

1.b Who is eligible to participate as a Training Centre?

• You must be a currently a GWO Certified Training Provider
• All GWO Certified Training Providers who have been registered in WINDA prior to October 2025
• All nomination materials submitted must comply with the latest GWO Requirements for Training and GWO Requirements for Certification (see 1.a)

2. Who can nominate an Instructors or a Training Team?

Only Course Participants who received their WINDA ID between 1 June 2025 and 30 May 2026 may nominate an instructor.

3. What is the nomination period for the 2026 Awards?

Nominations are open from 25 February to 30 May 2026.

4. Which award categories are available in 2026?

The 2026 edition will feature “Instructor of the Year” & “Training Team of the Year”

5. How can Course Participants submit a nomination?

Course Participants can nominate their instructor or a training team completing the online nomination form:

https://wkf.ms/4tyIIvX

(Only Course Participants who completed training or received their Training Records between 1 October 2025 and 30 May 2026 may nominate an instructor.)

6. How can you distribute this link?

• Make the link into a QR code for Course Participants to scan after completing their course
• Share it on social media
• Share it on an email

Remember! Only Course Participants who completed training or received their Training Records between 1 October 2025 and 30 May 2026 may nominate.

7. How does GWO determine which Instructors & Teams advance to the next round?

GWO will:

• Review and compile a list of the instructors with the highest number of nominations and recommendations.
• Between 1 and 7 June, Training Providers with nominated instructors will receive an email requesting them to complete a small questionnaire.
• Training Providers that fail to respond within the two‑week deadline will be disqualified.

8. What information is shared with the judging panel?

To support a fair evaluation of each nominee the external judging panel will receive:

• Information submitted by the Training Provider
• Noteworthy Course Participant comments

9. How are the winners selected?

A panel of independent judges appointed by GWO will review all eligible submissions and select:

• Finalist, followed by
• Regional winners announced at the ceremony

Please note that the judging process is confidential.

10. When will shortlisted candidates and winners be announced?

Finalists: Announced in August 2026

Winners: Announced during the Safety & Training Awards Ceremony on 29 September 2026

11. Will winners be publicly promoted?

Yes. GWO may promote winners through:

• Press releases
• Social media
• The official Awards website
• Other communication channels

12. How are the Awards presented?

Winners will be invited to receive their awards at the ceremony on 29 September 2026. Finalists receive a complimentary ticket for the Safety & Training Forum & Awards Ceremony

If a winner cannot attend, GWO may appoint a suitable representative to accept the award on their behalf.

‍

‍