Newsroom

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Old versions of BST and BTT no longer valid from 1st July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 Use of unpublished versions by GWO training providers may be considered a non-compliance.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.

Share your GWO stories on World Safety Day

ILO World Safety Day 2019 is an opportunity to explain how globally recognised safety training standards raise the bar for everyone.

GWO stakeholder clinics at Wind Europe Bilbao

On 2nd April, GWO's training standards and audit & compliance specialists will be available to take questions and help with any problems.

Training providers: Don't delay your (re)certification

Training providers appointing certification bodies should make sure their supplier conforms to GWO's Criteria

Certification bodies: Provide your documentation by 1 April 2019

From 1 April 2019 certificates issued by certification bodies that have not provided documentation to GWO will not be accepted.

New Training Providers - February edition

Our monthly update on new training provider certifications from around the world.

Blade Repair Standard draft published today

The Blade Repair working group completed this final draft five weeks ahead of schedule.

Global standards kept 74,000+ wind workers safe in 2018

Chairman Eloy Jauregui says "challenge just beginning" as GWO-trained workforce hits 74,000+ people worldwide

Blade Repair standard ready for launch

The world’s largest turbine manufacturers and owners have collaborated to bring to market their most ambitious training standard yet. The GWO Blade Repair standard is designed to achieve learning objectives in the safety and craftsmanship skills that are essential to this challenging, technical role.

Members revise GWO leadership structure

GWO has adopted new statutes to maintain efficient governance while we grow our global membership of wind turbine manufacturers and owners.

Join us in Bilbao!

GWO is hosting the first ever Safety, Skills and Training Zone at the Wind Europe Conference & Exhibition on April 2nd & 3rd in Bilbao

Auditor Qualification Training on three continents

As part of GWO's ongoing commitment to good governance of its worldwide training network, a trio of Auditor Qualification Training (AQT) courses will take place in the United States, Denmark and China.

Slinger Signaller standard update

The GWO Slinger Signaller standard working group is making progress

Basic Technical Training Installation module launches

Technicians will develop an understanding and awareness of the associated health and safety issues when working on the installation phase of a project

GWO welcomes trio of new colleagues

The GWO Secretariat has grown from two to eight employees in the space of eighteen months

Gap training now available for SGRE ART courses

ART/Merit licence holders can now train the gaps in SGRE's advanced rescue course

Goldwind Sea Survival training centre praised by auditor

A new training centre in China has been highlighted by auditors for its quality.

VIDEO: Standards improve worker safety, say Vestas and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Globally leading wind turbine manufacturers endorse GWO standards for their workforce training needs.

BTT Installation Module completes first test run

The BTT Installation Module will provide technicians with an understanding and awareness of the associated health and safety issues when working on the installation phase of a project.

Members announce plans and strategy for 2019

The GWO 2019 work plan includes several new and enhanced training standards. All are the result of close collaboration between 16 globally leading wind energy companies who are the industry's largest employers.

Blade Repair standard working group completes first draft

Analysis shows up to an 80% commonality between GWO members' existing blade repair training programmes in terms of basic safety and skills.

GWO training provider launches russian language BST & BTT

RESS is hoping to deliver GWO training in Russia from mid-2019

Changes to GWO certification criteria on the way

From April 2019, certification bodies must document one of three ways their auditors are qualified to certify a GWO training site or course.

GWO Working Group membership call now closed

We've had a great response to our call for working group participants and have now ended the recruitment process.

Thanks to working groups

The commitment, flexibility and cooperation from everyone involved in the working groups has significantly contributed to GWOs mission to strive for an injury-free work environment and improve safety for personnel working on site in the global wind industry.

GWO holds workshop at AWEA Offshore 2018

HSE and O&M representatives from Ørsted and GW Renewable Energy presented at the workshop and explained how they believe GWO standards can be integrated into the training mix of technicians working in US Offshore wind.

21 new GWO training sites opened in Q3 2018

GWO training providers opened 21 new locations between July and September 2018.

Auditor education delivers rapid results in China

GWO safety initiatives in China have received a boost, after a trio of training infrastructure projects were revealed in Beijing.

Star Wind Energy certified in China

The newest member of GWO's global training provider network has been unveiled

GWO Sea Survival preferred module for US offshore technicians

GWO has published legal guidance for offshore wind developers in the United States, demonstrating the relevance of BST Sea Survival training for technicians.

Legal memorandum clarifies GWO position in United States

GWO has received confirmation its standards can aid compliance with the United States' Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Legal memo clarifies GWO status in USA

"Because GWO’s Certified Training Providers are subject to an in-depth audit process performed by accredited certification bodies, employers should be able to feel confident they will meet or exceed OSHA’s test for trainer proficiency, credentials, and experience."

GWO launches Advanced Rescue and Enhanced First Aid training

The Enhanced First Aid (EFA) and Advanced Rescue Training (ART) standards have been created by broad-based working groups comprising GWO member companies and training providers.

Webinars for Enhanced First Aid, Advanced Rescue & Sea Survival published

Webinars explaining the Enhanced First Aid and Advanced Rescue Training Standards have now been published

Sea Survival Training Revised

The revised Basic Safety Training Sea Survival Module has been published today

Up to 10% of world wind workforce now trained to GWO standards

GWO certificates are now held by more than 67,000 wind energy workers

Blade Repair prepares for final stages

The increasing scale of wind turbine blades is likely to drive demand for safety and technical skills. GWO's Blade Repair Standard is being developed to support members' training needs now and in the future.

GWO Supports US wind industry campaign

Global Wind Organisation is proud to support American Wind Week, in celebration of wind power emerging in 2017 as America's #1 sources of renewable energy capacity.

EFA completes second pilot test

The Enhanced First Aid working group completed a successful three day pilot test of the standard at the end of June, and GWO members are looking forward to its release in Autumn.

Blade Repair Standard approaches development stage

The Global Wind Organisation Blade Repair Working Group continues to progress rapidly, with the standard approaching phase three of five (Development).

Almost 50% of training providers complete Sea Survival Review

GWO would like to thank all those who responded to our first standards review. 46% of all Sea Survival certified training providers completed our questionnaire, which closed on 30th June.

GWO celebrates Global Wind Day 2018

GWO is playing its part in Global Wind Day today, as the windpower industry celebrates its growing contribution to the worldwide energy mix.

GWO supports Global Offshore Wind 2018

Global Wind Organisation is supporting RenewableUK’s Global Offshore Wind 2018 conference and exhibition taking place from 19 – 20 June at Manchester Central.

GWO Standards Review begins with BTT and BST Sea Survival Consultation

Global Wind Organisation is providing an opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the evolution of its standards.

New standards complete latest pilot tests

GWO Working Groups have made significant progress in developing new standards, with the completion of three pilot tests during May.

GWO supporting developers with global training expansion

17 sites added as GWO training continues worldwide growth in Q1, 2018

Biannual release dates announced for April and October

Stakeholders will soon be able to set their calendars according to new release dates at the beginning of Q2 and Q4 every year.

GDPR update: Data protection documents published

On 25th May 2018, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into full effect.

WINDA reveals latest wind turbine technician training trends

After completing its first full year of operation, the GWO training records database WINDA can now provide an increasing amount of comparative data.

GWO Members collaborate on blade repair risk review

GWO’s Blade Repair Working Group (pictured) has completed the latest stage of its training standard development, compiling a comprehensive risk analysis to inform learning objectives.

GWO China Committee leads new auditor workshop

China’s growing importance as a hub for GWO training has taken a step forward, after delegates completed a week-long auditing workshop in Shenyang.

Gap Matrix for BTT training updated

Global Wind Organisation has updated the Basic Technical Training Gap Matrix Tables, to include the legacy training packages of two further members.

New Requirement for BTT Gap Training Launched

GWO has developed a new Requirement for Performing BTT Gap Training and Merit Assessment, as members begin transferring technicians to the BTT Standard.

GWO hits the headlines

A busy few months has resulted in Global Wind Organisation making frequent headlines in the renewable energy industry trade media.

Wind turbine technicians flocked to GWO training in 2017

Copenhagen – Thursday 22 February 2018 – Global Wind Organisation has published its first annual report, which shows that during 2017 44,418 technicians from 135 countries received GWO certified safety training in 2017.

GWO delegation heading to AWEA San Diego

A Global Wind Organisation team will demonstrate the benefits and opportunities of global safety training standards at a key conference in the USA next week.

EFA Work Group finalizes 1st draft of new Standard

Technicians trained in enhanced first aid (EFA) moved a step closer after the GWO EFA work group finalized its first draft of the standard.

Advanced Rescue Training (ART) progress continues

Training providers will soon be selected to conduct pilot tests of the GWO Advanced Rescue Training Standard.

Blade Repair activity progressing

GWO officially kicked off its Blade Repair Working Group last week, meeting at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy in Brande, Central Denmark.

GWO targets global growth under new leadership

More than 43,000 technicians from 135 countries received GWO certified safety training in 2017, helping wind turbine manufacturers and operators reduce costs, cut duplication and improve quality.

Pilot test for the Basic Safety Training Sea Survival module

The wind industry is constantly evolving and the same applies for the training required to stay safe. A GWO working group is therefore testing an update to the BST Sea Survival module and has recently completed a pilot.

GWO welcomes Shanghai Electric as new member

GWO is proud to announce that Shanghai Electric has joined the organization as a new member.

GWO welcomes Envision as new member

GWO is proud to announce that Envision has joined the organization as a new member.

GWO plans Enhanced First Aid safety training standard

GWO is developing an Enhanced First Aid (EFA) training standard, to provide employers with an extra level of first aid training that can help stabilize and keep casualties alive until rescue arrives and thereby avoid deterioration of the situation.

News from the GWO Steering Committee

At the GWO Steering Committee meeting on September 20-21, decisions were made on priorities for training standards to be developed in the coming year and on fee levels for 2018.

RenewableUK withdraws its training standards

RenewableUK is withdrawing its training standards and will continue recognizing GWO as the industry standard going forward.

New Senior Training Advisor at GWO

The GWO secretariat is happy to announce the appointment of Jakob Bjørn Nielsen as Senior Training Advisor.

WINDA Q1 Training statistics report

Following the first full quarter of operations, GWO is releasing its first report on training statistics retrieved from the WINDA database.

Basic Technical Training standard launches

Training Providers that are certified to deliver the BMT are automatically approved to deliver the BTT, and are asked to update their training course content according to the new standard.

GWO adopts Code of Conduct

GWO has developed a Code of Conduct

Innogy, Enercon and GoldWind join GWO

GWO is pleased to announce that innogy SE, Enercon and GoldWind have all signed on as a members of Global Wind Organisation.

New Training Committee Advisor at GWO

The GWO secretariat is happy to announce that we have expanded the team with our new colleague, Haben Zekarias.

Merit process for qualified personnel is now available

GWO has developed a merit process that enables companies to assess existing qualifications and training among staff and merit those that fulfill the criteria to an equivalent GWO training record in WINDA.

The Basic Maintenance Training Standard becomes the Basic Technical Training Standard

The Basic Maintenance Training (BMT) Standard was released in July 2016 and has been well received by the industry.

Solar Training Standards Initiative: Charter of Support

The companies signing this charter of support commit to use and recognize GWO solar training standards whenever appropriate for work functions pertaining to the renewable energy industry in order to mitigate risks faced by own employees as well as other personnel working for suppliers.

The 2022 GWO Safety & Training Awards Are Live!

The awards are the world’s first of their kind, celebrating the impact of safety training to the wind energy workforce.

Picture Gallery: Safety takes centre stage at WindEurope Offshore 2019

Send us your news

Updates: Opened a new site? Reached a new milestone? GWO wants your news to share with the network

GWO Stakeholder Forum at WindEurope Hamburg set for 26/9

The 2018 GWO Stakeholder Forum has been confirmed, with a full day programme planned as a side event to the WindEurope Global Wind Summit in Hamburg.