GWO Newsletter

Wind energy employers support transition to renewables with new Safety Training Access Programme

The programme will have particular relevance to workers in developing offshore wind areas, where transition from oil and gas is a key policy priority for governments.

Corona Advisory Note 8

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

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.

Who certifies the most GWO training providers?

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

Standards should be simplified to enable digital delivery

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

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

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.

Five key benefits of BSTR-P

Why and how the BSTR-P can help you during the COVID-19 pandemic

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 6

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

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

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

GWO Annual Report 2019 - Safety Without Borders

GWO's latest publication is available for download from today

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.

Public consultation: Update to GWO Requirements

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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