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There is often confusing information surrounding the requirements to work within the wind industry. With different certifications and training depending on the role you wish to pursue, it is essential to know what training is required when applying. More than half a million wind turbine technician and inspection roles are needed by 2026 if we wish to meet our net zero goals, so we hope this blog will help guide you on taking your first step into this ever-growing sector.
Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certificates
Whatever your job role, without your GWO certificates wind farms will not allow you to climb up a wind turbine. While the specific GWO certifications required can differ depending on the wind industry role, all onshore sites will require you to have up-to-date training for Working at Height, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling and First Aid as a minimum. These courses together are often known as the Onshore Basic Safety Training bundle and are essential for anyone looking to work on wind turbines.
After that, it can become a little more complicated. You need to consider what kind of role you want to pursue in the industry and which certificates your employer requires. There are various GWO skills-based courses available depending on which area and level of expertise you want to pursue.
Blade Technician GWO requirements
If you wish to work as a Blade Technician, some sites will also require you to have GWO certificates in Blade Repair, Advanced Rescue and Enhanced First Aid. Since Blade Technicians often work from the interior and exterior of wind turbines, these training courses provide you with the practical experience of performing numerous forms of blade repair, while also developing your understanding of how to respond to emergency situations that may occur from within a wind turbine.
Additional requirements
Since working on wind turbines requires proof of safety and efficiency to be demonstrated towards site owners and clients, the additional requirements can vary.
Here are some of the other common certificates you may require outside of our training:
IRATA Rope Access: to show you know how to use and inspect equipment correctly Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card: standard when working within the construction industry
RenewableUK medical examination: to check if you are healthy and fit enough to perform work in the industry.
OPITO: the global industry standard in oil and gas safety, skills, and competence
While some companies will provide these additional requirements, it is not a universal rule. Having these qualifications in place may provide you with a notable advantage compared to other applicants.
If you are at the point where you are leaving education and looking at wind turbine training, we hope that you can use this information to help with planning your journey into the wind industry. If you need to obtain your GWO certificates then check out our combined course bundles on our website, or contact us if you have any queries about the GWO qualifications required to perform work on a wind turbine. We hope to see you out there soon!
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