GWO Newsletter

Corio joins GWO to promote best practice in offshore safety training

• Global specialist offshore wind business Corio Generation joins as leading member • Corio's growing global windfarm portfolio will increase demand for standardised training

New Irish wind techs receive funding for GWO Entry Level Training Framework

Global Wind Organisation is delighted to announce that Energy Ireland, as the promoting organisation for Green Tech Skillnet, will be adopting the new GWO Entry Level Framework for their award-winning Skills Connect Wind Turbine Technician Programme.

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.

Wind Limited Access Standard: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On November 1st Global Wind Organisation (GWO) releases the Wind Limited Access Standard. This new standard was developed to provide a minimum viable safety training for infrequent visitors to onshore and offshore wind turbine generators (WTG) environments when supervised by at least two GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) qualified persons.

Military transition has never been easier

GWO training programmes delivered by AIS Survivex to reskill former military personnel for the wind industry has helped army mechanic, Jack Taylor scoop a full-time renewables job with Correll Group.

US Offshore Wind pioneer Dominion Energy commits to GWO

Dominion Energy, a Fortune 500 utility company based in Richmond, Virginia, has today joined as leading member of Global Wind Organisation.

New changes into Auditor Qualification Training on January 1st

Recent changes in the GWO Requirements for Certification Bodies (Version 11) and its introduction of the multi-site certification scheme have required changes within GWO’s Auditor Qualification Training (AQT)

Safety critical updates made to seven GWO standards

GWO is today (6 December 2022), updating its advice with reference to an item in the equipment lists contained in some standard annexes. This specifically relates to GWO standards with the following codes: ART, ART-R, BST, BSTR, BSTR-P, Lift and WLA

Safety Technology USA adopts GWO Entry Level Framework for community college partnerships

Over 100 community colleges teach wind turbine technician programs in North America. One GWO training provider, Safety Technology (STL) USA is moving quickly to offer a new pathway into work for college students.

EDF Renewables North America partners with Riverland Community College to train wind technicians

EDF Renewables North America (EDFR) is the latest addition to the growing list of GWO training providers in the US market.

Training providers and wind energy employers take a step forward, together

The next generation of wind turbine technicians were placed front and centre at GWO’s Safety & Training Forum, as training providers and employers debated the best approach to onboard thousands of new people.

GWO Releases Wind Limited Access Standard on November 1st

Standard increases safety around supervised, infrequent WTG visitors.

New Report Highlights the Need for Standardised Safety Training for US Offshore Wind

Specialized safety training highlighted as a significant gap for offshore wind construction and O&M; More GWO Sea Survival training will be needed to safely deliver on the 30GW 2030 target; Companies will need to guide new technicians and rapidly deploy full-scope training for them to keep up with the hastening pace of construction activity.

Updated GWO Requirements for Certification Bodies Brings Important Changes Including for the Certification of Multi-site Training Providers.

Among the provisions for version 11 are: a definition of non-conformity, further provision related to GWO’s Auditor Qualification Training, clarification on the qualification process for GWO auditors, criteria for defining multi-site training providers as well as specific requirements for their certification such as the production of an internal audit plan.

GWO Sea Survival Update

An update to the Sea Survival Module within the GWO Basic Safety Standard (V16) was published 1st October 2022

Updated GWO Requirements For Certification Bodies Brings Important Changes Including For The Certification of Multi-site Training Providers

The first of October 2022 saw Global Wind Organisation launch the latest version (V11) of its Requirements for Certification Bodies. This updated guidance on how certification bodies interact within the GWO community again focusses on the role of audit and certification of training providers. Among the provisions for version 11 are: a definition of non-conformity, further provision related to GWO’s Auditor Qualification Training, clarification on the qualification process for GWO auditors, criteria for defining multi-site training providers as well as specific requirements for their certification such as the production of an internal audit plan.

Winners: GWO Safety & Training Awards 2022

Global Wind Organisation welcomed training providers from across the globe for this year’s Safety & Training Awards in Copenhagen.

GWO Autumn Standards Release

GWO releases new Entry Level Framework and updates to Enhanced First Aid (EFA) Standard and Basic Safety Training Standard, Sea Survival Module (BST-SS)

Wind industry creates new training profiles to drive technician recruitment

Wind energy employers are supporting the onboarding of thousands of new technicians, with a trio of simplified routes and recommended training for entry level profiles.

Two-day GWO First Aid module to remain valid until April 1 2023

Training providers certified to deliver the GWO First Aid module of Basic Safety Training are today informed that version (V14) will remain valid for use until April 1 2023. It will co-exist with version 15 that was released for use on 1st April 2022.

The Many Faces of an Entry Level Technician

Meet the ex-military personnel and oil & gas workers working in wind.

Breaking the Barriers to Entry Level Wind Careers

Exploring the training needs of entry level wind technicians

Global Wind Organisation welcomes its 500th certified training provider

The milestone represents a significant step in the endorsement of GWO safety standards across wind industry markets globally

GWO expands 2022 awards event with Safety & Training Forum

October 4th will be a special day as our community of safety and training in wind energy gathers in person for an all-new event in Copenhagen.

Corona Update 13 - Extension of temporary Corona measure

Throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic, the GWO Audit & Compliance committee has issued advisory notes communicating agreed advice, guidance and exemptions from our regular governance (requirements and standards).

GWO and GWEC sign two-year deal to power the global wind energy workforce

Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) have signed a two-year partnership agreement to highlight the importance of safety, training and job creation to power wind energy development and the global energy transition. The wind energy industry is a major opportunity for countries to create high-skilled, local jobs to boost economic growth and reach their Paris Agreement goals.

Taxonomy tool kit now integrated into all GWO training standards

The taxonomy establishes a transparent and coherent framework to describe safety training characteristics, allowing for a better understanding of “what good training looks like”.

GWO releases reviewed First Aid and Manual Handling modules

The modules are reviewed in response to feedback from GWO members and 2020 workplace data from G+ which places manual handling incidents in the top three most reported injury processes.

GWO releases new Control of Hazardous Energies (COHE) training standard

The new standard focuses on risk management when working with or close to hazardous energies in the wind industry.

Taking GWO’s Safer Lift Standard To A New Level.

The GWO Lift standard brings a coherent safety training framework for wind technicians working on installing, commissioning, and maintaining lifts in WTG towers.

GE Renewables’ Lisa Mallon Elected Chair of Global Wind Organisation

- First female leader elected in GWO’s 10th Anniversary Year - New Executive Committee confirmed with cross industry representation

New GWO Executive Committee confirmed for 2022-2023

Following completion of its Annual General Meeting, the GWO General Assembly has elected and confirmed the nominations of its new Executive Committee.

GWO Safety & Training Awards returns for 2022 edition in Copenhagen

October 4th promises to be a great evening recognising the best that the GWO network has to offer in wind safety and training, save the date!

Global Wind Organisation Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Annual Report 2021: Record year for wind energy safety as GWO Trained Workforce passes 122000

Mandatory change to the Sea Survival module following incident during training

Following an incident at a training provider (in which a course participant jumped from a height of four meters and injured his back during the fall ending in hospitalisation), the GWO Audit & Compliance Committee has issued a new mandate

Enel Green Power Joins Global Wind Organisation

Enel Green Power (Enel) has today joined Global Wind Organisation, accelerating the industry’s global effort to strive towards an injury free working environment.

Winners Announced in GWO Safety and Training Awards 2021

Global Wind Organisation welcomed award winners from across the world to Copenhagen on November 24th for its inaugural GWO Safety and Training Awards.

Vestas signals intent for all turbine workers to receive GWO training

World's largest turbine manufacturer re-commits to global standard. Calls on schools to become certified and meet global demand for 500,000 workers by 2025

Non-compliance investigation completed: Report

Global Wind Organisation’s Audit & Compliance Committee has completed an investigation into a chain of non compliance by an auditor, a certification body, and a training provider. Action was taken against all three.

GWO Working Groups 2021-2022 now full

Both the First Aid and Manual Handling working groups have been fully resourced

Step into a virtual world of training at Wind Europe Electric City

‍RelyOn Nutec and Clyde Training Solutions unveiled as 2021 demonstration partners

Training providers offered head start by piloting new standards before release

GWO training providers can prepare early by delivering pilot testing and giving feedback to developers

GWO launch Revisions to Training Provider and Certification Body Requirement Documents

On October 1, 2021 GWO’s Requirements for Training Providers and Certification Bodies will be updated to versions 11 and 9 respectively. Both documents are revised to include changes resulting from GWO’s September 2021 update of its WINDA platform.

Revisions to Training Provider and Certification Body Requirement Documents to launch

On October 1, 2021 GWO’s Requirements for Training Providers and Certification Bodies will be updated to version 11 and 9 respectively. Both documents are revised to include changes resulting from the recent update of WINDA.

Corona Advisory Note 11

GWO Safety & Training Awards - Finalists announced today!

More than 80 entries were received and judges have created a shortlist of the top 5 finalists in eight categories

WINDA 3.2 launches today

‍WINDA 3.2 puts users in control drives savings for training providers

GWO appoints Dan Ortega North American Representative

Senior hire will assist with adoption of global standards in fast growing market

Training provider's certification withdrawn

The Global Wind Organisation Audit & Compliance Committee has approved the withdrawal of VINDA LT from the approved list of GWO Training Providers

WINDA update coming soon

‍WINDA 3.2 puts users in control drives savings for training providers

Global Wind Organisation celebrates Global Wind Day

Across the world, GWO is celebrating Global Wind Day and the vital role safer working environments play in developing sustainable wind energy and in reshaping all our energy systems.

Will you demonstrate GWO training at Electric City?

Apply now to become a Demonstration Partner or Zone Partner in the Safety, Skills & Training Zone

Fifth Chinese member joins GWO

Chinese wind turbine manufacturer CRRC Zhuzhou Institute commits to GWO Standards

Nearly half a million workers must be trained to safely meet expansion of global wind market over next five years

New analysis from GWEC, GWO and RCG finds that 480,000 workers need to be trained to GWO standard to deliver onshore and offshore wind market forecasts safely from 2021-2025.

Trends Show Growth for Renewable Energy Across Canada

But only 46% of wind technicians hired in Canada are graduates from wind tech training programs

Lisa Mallon elected Vice Chair of Global Wind Organisation

GE Renewable Energy HSE leader takes position on GWO Executive Committee  

Cubico Sustainable Investments joins Global Wind Organisation

Cubico Sustainable Investments commits to GWO Standards as the first ever asset management business to join GWO

Wind Turbine Lift Training User Course to launch in April '21

Global Wind Organisation is launching the first course module of its new Wind Turbine Lift Basic User Training Standard, driving increased standardisation across the industry.

Improved requirements and Audit Reports ready for launch

GWO releases improved requirements for Training Providers and Certification Bodies on April 6, 2021. In addition, GWO is improving quality control with a requirement for all audit reports to be completed and sent using a GWO template from May 1, 2021

GWO primed for growth with key hires at Secretariat

Global Wind Organisation has strengthened its team with the appointment of three new colleagues in key areas of training, business support and communication.

GWO trained workforce passes 100,000

• Wind industry on track to establish global standards for safety training • 75,000+ workers in EMEA, 13,000+ in Americas and 10,000+ in Asia Pacific now part of GWO trained workforce

Wind Safety Training Challenge Launched in New Jersey to Support Offshore Growth

Collaboration is key to success

Corona Advisory Note 9

Neil Pickthall steps down as GWO Training Committee Vice Chair

Neil has helped drive forward the digitalisation agenda at GWO

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

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