Key considerations when choosing a GWO training provider
With the global wind industry’s workforce expanding at a rapid pace, it is essential to ensure the competency and safety of those who work within the sector. This can be accomplished by ensuring that all technicians in the industry are trained by a qualified, experienced GWO training provider.
The GWO, or Global Wind Organisation, training course is a comprehensive programme designed to provide wind industry professionals with the necessary skills for work in the field and is regarded as a required qualification by many organisations around the world.
With over 520 training providers worldwide, there are many accredited GWO training providers to choose from. That being said, it’s important that learners choose a provider that offers courses that meet their specific needs and can provide the practical and theoretical knowledge required to succeed in the demanding industry.
In this blog post, we look at five key factors all delegates should consider when choosing a GWO training provider.
Consider the experience of training providers
A main aspect to consider is the previous experience of the instructors leading the courses. Instructors who are highly experienced in the industry will be more knowledgeable about the correct processes behind working on turbines due to their own experiences in the sector.
These instructors are more likely to provide you with a valuable learning experience and offer hands-on experience based on real-life situations and industry insights, allowing delegates to better understand what to expect on the job.
At Scott’s Access Services, we have a team of experienced instructors consisting of experts who bring their industry knowledge and practical experience to each training session. Our trainers have a strong passion for training, which they demonstrate through their instruction methods, ensuring that each candidate receives the appropriate, relevant training to learn and advance their careers.
Ensure the provider operates in a purpose-built location
Completing a course in a purpose-built facility will give delegates a realistic picture of what it’s like to work in the wind industry. The best GWO training providers will be able to provide you with cutting-edge equipment and facilities that help to simulate real-life scenarios and improve learners’ experiences.
Our GWO training courses are provided in a modern, state-of-the-art centre that is purposefully designed to meet the changing demands of the wind industry. We ensure that our delegates are provided with the most realistic experience possible that sets the stage for their journey into becoming wind turbine technicians.
Ensure the provider has qualified instructors
When taking part in GWO training, the instructors who lead the course must have current, valid GWO qualifications that meet international standards. It is essential to confirm the qualifications of the instructors who will be conducting the courses so that you can be confident they can provide you with appropriate training that will effectively prepare you for a career in the wind industry.
All of our trainers hold a GWO Instructor Qualification (IQT), which equips them with the knowledge and skills required to instruct and train in accordance with the GWO framework and learning principles.
This qualification demonstrates that our instructors can apply appropriate teaching methods and learning activity structures that provide delegates with the appropriate skills to enter the wind industry.
Confirm the provider is a GWO member
GWO-certified providers are considered the most competent in providing quality training materials to individuals working in the industry.
Most employers will only accept candidates who have completed GWO-certified training. Therefore, to increase your career opportunities, it’s important to ensure your trainer is a certified member of the GWO training standard.
As GWO members, we demonstrate our commitment to standardised training in the onshore and offshore wind industries, our knowledge of the sector’s basic safety processes and our ability to deliver and implement world-class training.
Ensure courses are relevant to your requirements
When choosing a provider, you should always consider one that offers an appropriate course for your training requirements. To be fully qualified to enter the wind industry, you must look for a provider that covers the five mandatory courses required.
At Scott’s Access Services, we provide a wide range of GWO-certified courses that are tailored to the unique needs and skill levels of individuals entering or advancing in the wind industry.
Our GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) package includes all five mandatory GWO training modules for working onshore and offshore in the wind industry.
The package covers GWO Working at Height, First Aid, Sea Survival, Fire Awareness, and Manual Handling training. We combine these modules into a five-day programme that includes theory and supervised practical sessions, followed by an assessment to ensure you are fully prepared to enter the industry.
We also provide a GWO Basic Safety Training Refresher (BSTR) course for those who require refresher training to renew their certification. This course reinforces and updates a technician’s knowledge and skills in the wind sector, allowing them to improve job performance and stay current on industry trends, best practices, and regulations.
If you’re looking to kick-start your career in the wind industry, we can help. Get in touch today for more information on our courses or alternatively, book here.
