Newsroom

Neil Pickthall steps down as GWO Training Committee Vice Chair

Neil has helped drive forward the digitalisation agenda at GWO

GWO Safety Awards 2021 move to November

The awards have been rescheduled with deadline for submissions on 2nd July 2021

U.S. Offshore Wind Energized by Recent Initiatives 

The North American wind industry is growing. Here, we take a closer look at some of the initiatives that are powering the growth.

A safe beginning to 2021 for wind power workers

GWO Training centres are open for business, keeping our workforce safe and your electricity grid powered up

Wind energy employers won’t step back safety training during lockdown

‍Despite COVID 19, GWO Training is available worldwide, safely in person and digitally via online refresher courses

What does innovation mean?

Award winners must demonstrate how you have placed this at the heart of your training

Corona Advisory Note 8

Why is 'Safety & Fidelity' such an important criteria?

Award winners must demonstrate how you have placed this at the heart of your training

GWO Safety & Training Awards - Q&A Session

Join us on 23rd November for an meeting with the event organisers where you can ask questions and get feedback

Why should you enter the GWO Safety & Training Awards?

Quite simply because you have to be in it to win it. Receiving the accolade and the congratulations of your colleagues across the market.

Relevant and respected: Introducing The GWO Safety & Training Awards

The GWO Safety & Training Awards shine a light on the teams of instructors, and staff from a worldwide network of over 370 training providers

Offshore workforce supported by new outreach campaign into renewables

GWO is beginning a information campaign to support workers looking to transition from sunset industries like oil and gas into wind power

Join a GWO Working Group

GWO is looking for certified training providers to support its review of standards from October 2020-March 2021

New look for GWO Standards

GWO has improved the look and feel of its training standards to make them more readable. Lesson elements remain unchanged and existing versions are still valid.

Safety training volumes fell -15% during COVID-19 lockdown

2020 Half Year Report reveals challenging six months for training providers

Who certifies the most GWO training providers?

Third party certification bodies are an essential element in the GWO governance framework.

Why become a GWO auditor/certification body?

Certification bodies are essential in the governance system of GWO Standards. Without them, training providers cannot deliver GWO training and worker safety is potentially at risk.

Standards should be simplified to enable digital delivery

Expert Series Webinar panel says quality can be maintained with correct implementation in a virtual setting

Vestas, MVOW and SSE enter digital training debate

Personalising learning process could be key benefit of digital training say wind energy employers

GWO network focuses on quality in digitalisation debate

Webinar participants showed us they have a clear idea on what ’quality of learning is all about’

Certification bodies must send GWO their audit reports from 1st October

Item 7.5.4 of the Requirements for Certification Bodies will become mandatory from 1st October 2020

Karin Borg steps down as GWO Vice Chair

In her eighteen months as vice chair of Global Wind Organisation, Karin has played a decisive role in shaping our Global Strategy: Safety without Borders 2020-2022

CGN Wind Power joins Global Wind Organisation 中广核风电加入全球风能组织

• Leading owner operator commits to GWO Standards • GWO标准被业界领先的业主所认可 • CGNWP also opens new GWO Training Centre • 中广核风电同时新成立了GWO培训中心

GWO Safety and Training Awards 2021 to debut at Electric City Copenhagen

Brand new competition will be open for entries later in the year

New leadership takes the helm at GWO North America

GWO today announces leaders for its North America committee

Explained: Why do some GWO courses require a refresher every two years?

Learning objectives in GWO standards are focused in the domains of "knowledge" and "skill". How often you refresh your training to maintain that knowledge and skill depends on a huge variety of factors.

Safety without borders: has Covid-19 strengthened the case for blended learning?

Windpower’s critical workforce can benefit from blended learning solutions, which combine online solutions with courses taken in person say experts

Wind energy workforce looks for safe return to GWO training centres

Training centres prepared for backlog but expect 59% of typical course volumes in May, rising to 91% by July - Careful preparation and adaptations in place as lock-down re-opening begins - Digital options limit participants’ and instructors’ exposure to virus

Corona Advisory Note 7

This advice has now been updated. Please return to the main Corona Virus page for the latest information

Operations: Secretariat open as normal

Global Wind Organisation has re-opened its office in Copenhagen following relaxation of Covid-19 lock down

European Wind Academy: Why we remained open during Covid-19 Pandemic

EWA quickly adapted its operations and training to mitigate infection risk from Covid-19 early in the process

Updates to Requirements for Certification Bodies - digital and in person audits

The changes relate to the instructor/participant ratio required for actual audits and the auditing of digital delivery

Taiwanese experience from SARS crucial to delivering GWO during Covid-19

In the first edition of GWO's Training in the Pandemic Expert Series Webinars, guest panelists provided a guided tour of their facility and steps taken to minimise contamination between employees and participants.

How to keep your GWO certifications current during COVID-19

Training during the lock down

Corona Advisory Note 6

Our latest update includes guidance on the BSTR-P training standard, auditing of said standard and requirements for digital learning

New Requirements for GWO Training Providers and Certification Bodies

Versions 7 and 9 of the Requirements for Certification Bodies and Training Providers (Formerly known as 'Criteria for Training Providers/Certification Bodies') published today.

Corona Advisory Note 5

This advice has been updated. Please return to the main Corona Virus page for the latest.

New BST Refresher training standard caters for virtual classroom environment

Addressing skills fade is the number one priority for GWO members during Covid-19 Pandemic

New: Requirements for GWO training providers and certification bodies for digital learning

The requirements confirm that digital learning may be used to deliver GWO certified training

ART and EFA Standards updated today

GWO thanks its working group members for their support

Extended flexibility for scheduling re-audits and surveillance audits

This guidance has been updated. Please return to the main page for the latest Corona Advisory Note

Covid-19: Extended flexibility for refresher training

This advice has been updated. Please return to the main Corona page for the latest advisory note

Guidance to all stakeholders on continued delivery of GWO training, including recommended temporary adjustments to training delivery

This guidance has been updated. Please return to the main page for the latest Corona Advisory Note

GWO appoints Vestas' Paul Robbins as Chair

• Vestas’ Paul Robbins elected Chairman until 2022 • Executive Committee (ExCo) elected with mandate to establish GWO trained workforce beyond 200,000 people

Advisory note: Corona-virus (COVID-19) and GWO training - Update 3

This guidance has been updated. Please return to the main Corona Virus pages for the latest information and guidance

Advisory note: Corona-virus (COVID-19) and GWO training - Update 2

This guidance has been updated. Please return to the main Corona Virus page for the latest information

South America - the world's fastest growing market for GWO training

The amount of completed GWO training in South America rose 101% in 2019

GWO Annual Report 2019 - Safety Without Borders

GWO's latest publication is available for download from today

OEMs and operators target 200,000 people trained to GWO standard by end of 2022

• Long term strategy will more than double GWO trained workforce • Latin America, North America and Asia-Pacific up +80% in 2019

Who certifies the most GWO training providers?

Third party certification bodies are an essential element in the GWO governance framework. We reveal some data about which ones have certified the most.

Why become a GWO auditor/certification body?

Certification bodies are essential in the governance system of GWO Standards. Without them, training providers cannot deliver GWO training and worker safety is potentially at risk.

Advisory note: Corona-virus (COVID-19) and GWO training certificates

This guidance has been updated. Please return to the main page for the latest information

Public consultation: Update to GWO Requirements

Feedback wanted: Draft of new requirements available for download and review

Coming soon - 2019 Annual Report and Strategy

GWO reports on global training activity and future strategy

Update to credit card transaction fee for WINDA credits

New Training Providers in Q4 2019

GWO Training Providers network keeps growing

GWO training will grow on East Coast says Rhode Island funding body

Workforce development expert predicts growth in GWO training to support offshore market

WINDA update 22nd January 2020

New solutions have been released for WINDA

GWO welcomes two new colleagues

Operations, communication and marketing support functions expand to meet demand

New WINDA launches On Monday December 16

GWO has migrated WINDA from a Django/Python solution hosted on Amazon Web Services to a solution based on Microsoft Azure.

GWO aligns WINDA with UN Human Development Index

GWO members say the value created by WINDA for safety and workforce productivity far outweigh the costs of the system

Criteria documents to be simplified in 2020

The GWO Criteria for Training Providers and Certification Bodies provide the framework and governance system around which more than 350 training providers can operate.

GWO and GWEC join forces to power the global wind energy workforce

Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) have signed a partnership agreement to highlight the importance of safety, training and job creation to power wind energy development and the global energy transition.

Conclusion of investigation at GWO training provider

No outstanding issues were identified by following review of incident during BST Sea Survival practical lesson

North America and Asia lead GWO growth in Q3

GWO training increased substantially in North America and Asia during the third quarter of 2019

China WindPower 2019: GWO stresses importance of safety in offshore wind

Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of GWO, congratulated SHANGHAI ELECTRIC on their new offshore training site at a special ceremony during China Wind Power 2019.

RFP: Research analysis and report writing support

GWO is commissioning a report to assess and forecast workforce needs in offshore wind

GWO to unveil top 25 Hazards & Risks at WindEurope Offshore

Data-driven decision making will increasingly drive training standardisation in wind. Jose Jimenez, Governance and Risk Manager at Global Wind Organisation explains the role GWO’s Risk Register will have in moving the industry forward.

VR safety simulator to be unveiled at WindEurope Offshore

Developers of Simulwind claim virtual reality simulator gives students pre-site knowledge of WTG, reducing costs and time for training

Help us improve GWO Training and Certification Body Criteria

GWO is beginning its review process of training provider and certification body rules, beginning with a questionnaire for stakeholders.

North America group makes strong start

North America’s leading wind energy employers came together for two and a half days of work at the GE Renewables Learning Center in Niskayuna, NY.

Industry first brings offshore training onshore

GWO Sea Survival training has never been demonstrated inside an exhibition centre before

Win an exhibition pass to WindEurope Offshore worth €200

If safety in offshore wind is your priority, enter our competition to win a complementary three day exhibition pass to WindEurope Offshore.

Sea Survival and more, indoors at GWO Safety Zone!

Registration is now open for WindEurope Offshore Copenhagen 26-28 November 2019

Manual Handling and WaH combine for new BST v13

Training providers, employers and delegates can now choose between the combined course, or individual modules

New Slinger Signaller/Rigger Signal Person training standard launched

The standard was created after more than 400 existing certifications were discovered in Europe alone for this type of skill set.

Manual Handling and WaH to combine for new BST v13

Training providers, employers and delegates can now choose between the combined course, or individual modules

Certifications rejected following auditor non-compliance

GWO has recently identified a certification body performing audits to training providers, who has not documented compliance with GWO Criteria

GWO aligns WINDA with UN Human Development Index

The WINDA fee suports GWO's mission to create a safer and more productive workforce in wind

ART and EFA standard reviews beginning today

GWO is beginning its review process for Advanced Rescue and Enhanced First Aid, beginning with a questionnaire for stakeholders.

Iberdrola expects up to 6000 workers will receive GWO training

New member estimates how many of its employees and contractors could potentially be in scope

Iberdrola joins Global Wind Organisation

World leader in wind energy commits to GWO standards

GWO publishes half year 2019 results

Workforce and employers benefit as GWO training up 26% in first half of 2019

North American firms join to focus on safety as the wind turbine industry grows

Goal to optimize supply chain and source talent from certified training providers through contractors, owner operators and manufacturers to continuously improve core safety competencies.

Training providers: Always check your certification body meets GWO Criteria

The certification body you appoint to audit your site must appear on the GWO's approved list

Always use the correct version of a GWO Standard

Old versions of GWO standards are available for three months, but our survey discovered 30% of training providers could be waiting up to 12 weeks to implement the new version.

Old versions of BST and BTT no longer valid from 1st July

Basic Safety Training (BST) version 11 and Basic Technical Training (BTT) version 4 will no longer be valid from 1st July. Use of unpublished versions by GWO training providers may be considered a non-compliance.

Taiwanese delegation visits GWO

As Taiwan prepares to develop 5.5 GW of offshore wind by 2025, a delegation from the country's leading science and technology university visited GWO on a fact finding mission.

Nordex shares plans as new GWO member

When a new member company joins GWO, an onboarding process begins to help align safety practices with established, global standards. We report on The Nordex Group’s plans which include merit for up to 500 working at height certifications.

Standards and criteria set for Mandarin translation

GWO has begun its first project to translate its standards and criteria into another language.

Windpower Brazil has safety at its heart

Safety is an investment in people, not a cost, say Brazilian training providers

BTT and ART/EFA boost Q1 numbers in WINDA

The number of GWO-trained technicians continued to rise during the first quarter of 2019, boosted by increases in technical and advanced skills courses.

Slinger Signaller Training Standard draft published

The standard was created after more than 400 existing certifications were discovered in Europe alone for this type of skill set.

Pakistan, Malaysia and Haiti now part of GWO network

An update on new training provider certifications from around the world.

GWO is peace of mind for CP La Castellana wind farm workers

On ILO World Safety Day 28.04.2019, site leaders from Argentina's new 99MW La Castellana Wind Farm explained how GWO standards help them at work. **This article has been translated from the original spanish version

Jose Jimenez joins GWO

GE Renewables veteran brings years of HSE experience to GWO secretariat

The Nordex Group joins GWO

• Eight of world’s top 10 wind turbine manufacturers now GWO Members • Collaboration is key to creating safer and more productive workforce

GWO elects new leadership

The leadership of a new Executive Committee (ExCo) of Global Wind Organisation has today been formed. The committee oversees all work carried out by the Secretariat.‍

Safety, Skills & Training Zone at WindEurope Conference 2019

GWO hosted a successful two day conference and demonstration programme, attended by 100s of guests

GWO standards and criteria updated today

Existing versions of training standards will continue to be available for a period of three months. Previous criteria versions will be valid until 1 October 2019.