Solving the Wind Energy Sector Recruitment Challenge in the US

Wind Energy Sector Recruitment

Navigating the Winds of Change.

As the United States continues to invest in clean and sustainable energy sources, the wind energy sector is poised for unprecedented growth in the next decade. However, with this promising future comes a significant challenge – the recruitment and training of skilled professionals to meet the industry’s escalating demands. To ensure a seamless transition to a greener tomorrow, addressing the wind energy sector’s recruitment challenge is imperative. This blog post explores key aspects such as funding, training initiatives, and strategic hiring approaches that can help overcome this challenge.

Funding initiatives

One of the primary hurdles in expanding the wind energy workforce is securing adequate funding for training programs and educational initiatives. To address this, collaboration between government bodies, private sector stakeholders, and educational institutions is crucial. Government incentives and grants should be made available to support the development of training programs specifically tailored to the wind energy sector. Programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act are a great step in the right direction.

Moreover, wind energy companies can establish partnerships with universities and vocational institutions to create scholarship programs and research grants. These initiatives not only attract potential talent but also contribute to the advancement of wind energy technology. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the industry can ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals.

 
Training the next generation

To meet the growing demand for skilled workers, it is essential to design comprehensive wind technician training programs that equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and practical skills. Wind energy companies should collaborate with educational institutions to develop specialized curricula that cover areas such as wind turbine technology, maintenance, and safety protocols.

Internship programs and apprenticeships can provide hands-on experience, allowing trainees to work alongside seasoned professionals. This real-world exposure not only enhances their skills but also provides a pathway for recruitment. Companies should actively engage with local communities to identify and nurture talent, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the industry.

Strategic Hiring Approaches

As the wind energy sector expands, companies need to adopt strategic hiring approaches to attract and retain top talent. Here are some key considerations:

a. Diversity and Inclusion: Actively promoting diversity and inclusion is essential for fostering innovation and ensuring a well-rounded workforce. Companies should implement policies that encourage the recruitment of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women and underrepresented minorities.

b. Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Establishing strong ties with universities, community colleges, and vocational schools is crucial for identifying potential candidates early in their educational journey. Wind energy companies can contribute to curriculum development, provide guest lectures, and offer internships to create a direct talent pipeline.

c. Competitive Compensation Packages: To attract the best talent, wind energy companies must offer competitive compensation packages. Beyond salary, benefits such as professional development opportunities, health and wellness programs, and flexible work arrangements can enhance the overall appeal of the organization.

d. Embracing Technology: The wind energy sector is evolving rapidly, with technological advancements shaping the landscape. Companies should actively seek individuals with a passion for innovation and a willingness to adapt to emerging technologies. Investing in continuous training for existing employees also ensures that the workforce remains up-to-date with the latest developments.

Looking for roles in wind energy or a great hiring solution? Check on windtech.careers our partner recruitment site.

In conclusion, as the wind energy sector in the United States scales over the next decade, solving the recruitment challenge is paramount for sustained growth and success. By focusing on funding initiatives, developing robust training programs, and adopting strategic hiring approaches, the industry can build a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and meeting the demands of a cleaner and more sustainable future. Through collaboration between government entities, educational institutions, and private sector stakeholders, the wind energy sector can overcome recruitment challenges and harness the full potential of wind power for the benefit of the planet and its inhabitants.

Interested in training with STL USA? 

Click the link to find out more 

Bespoke training for wind technicians

Bespoke training for wind technicians

Building flexible training.

STL USA are delighted to introduce Bespoke Wind Technician Technical training. This program sits alongside our two standard technical options, Basic Intro and Basic Intro +. The difference is that bespoke training gives you the flexibility to build a prgram that meets the specific needs of your workforce. Program options include both industry certification, such as GWO and NFPA 70E alongside a huge choice of technical competencies that align to ACP, ANSI and GWO frameworks for wind technicians. That’s super important as the industry evolves becasue these frameworks allow skills to be standardised, which ultimately means cost savings for employers not having to train more than one version of the same skill to meet a customer requirement.

What are the courses?

This is really down to you!

The bespoke nature of these training solutions allow you to build your own program from a huge list of module options that should cover your needs. If they don’t STL USA can tap into its partner network and build out teaching knowledge to deliver something truly unique for you.

Bespoke training module options
Wind skills
 
Introduction to Turbine Generators
Oscilloscopes
Failure Analysis
Maintaining Bearings
Precision Measuring Instruments
Hydraulic System Operation
Hydraulic Pumps, Pumping Principles and Accumulators
Pressure Controls
Directional and Flow Controls
Hydraulic Actuators
Fundamentals of Lubrication
Lubrication Maintenance
Introduction to Mechanical Print Reading
Lines Used in Mechanical Print Reading
Dimensions in Mechanical Print Reading
Mechanical Seals
Hand Operated Equipment
Forklifts and Cranes
Principles and Practices of Predictive Maintenance
Vibration Analysis
Lubricant and Trend Analysis
Techniques for Extending Bearing Life
Principles of Reverse Double Dial Alignment
Reverse Double Dial Alignment Procedure
Pressure Measurement
Flow Measurement
Temperature Measurement
Level Measurement
Calibration Principles
Calibrating Pressure and Differential Pressure Instruments
Calibrating Flow Instruments
Calibrating Level Instruments
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Test Devices
Electronic Test Devices
Calibrating Meteorological Instrumentation
 Boroscope

Foundational skills

AC Motor Theory
AC Motor Maintenance
DC Motor Theory
DC Motor Maintenance
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Limit Switches
Switches, Coils, and Overloads
Troubleshooting Electrical Control Circuits
Inverters: Operation and Maintenance

Multimeters
Ammeters, Meggers and Wheatstone Bridge
Electrical Schematics
Electrical Diagrams
Principles of Operation
Interpreting Ladder Logic
Programmable Controllers for Analog Control
Introduction to Transformers
Transformer operations and maintenance

Hand Tools
Torque and Tensioning
Ladders and Scaffolding

Distributed Control Fundamentals
Maintaining Distributed Control Systems
Electronic Controllers
Calibrating Temperature Instruments
Instruments In Hazardous Environments

Safety 

NFPA 70E low and high voltage

GWO Control of Hazardous Energies

 

How do i build my bespoke training?

 The STL USA client team are well versed in building out solutions for clients. Bespoke Wind Technician Training is no different.

 The steps taken to build a program include:

  • Identifying who needs training – new hires, existing technicians, specialist teams?
  • Where does training need to take place – onsite, at an STL USA facility, online
  • Implementing a process for maintaining skills and updating knowledge – building in continual improvement
  • Defining a schedule – what modules apply to which technicians and when, where and how are they delivered
Once established a pilot is then scheduled to ensure that any customer spcific requirements are included into the course and that’s it, training can start.
 
STL USA believe this modular approach to building bespoke training is the next step in the development of workforces within wind. It allows customers to reduce costs, develop a skilled workforce and truly differentiate themselves on competency.
 
Speak to an STL USA team member about this via the link below. 

 

Interested in bespoke training with STL USA

Click the link to find out more 

Technical training courses for wind technicians

Technical training courses for wind technicians

Teaching technician skills.

STL USA is delighted to announce the expansion of our technical training courses for wind technicians. Wind Technician Technical Training is a vital component for new hires and experienced technicians alike. This is where technicians learn the skills to do the job, usually alongside taking their safety certificates, GWO.

What are the courses?

STL USA has split technical training courses for wind technicians into two categories. Our Basic Intro and Basic Intro Plus courses are off-the-shelf packages that align with ACP/ANSI minimum requirements. We then have a vast range of technical modules that allow customers to build a program suited specifically to their needs. 

Basic intro courses

The Basic intro courses for wind technicians cover the following:

Basic Intro

  • AC/DC basics
  • Motor controls
  • Schematics
  • Digital multimeter
  • Basic troubleshooting
  • 5 day course

Basic Intro Plus

  • Basic intro modules, plus
  • MCE – Up tower troubleshooting/training (gearbox & generator) 
  • Platform-specific converter
  • Boroscope
  • 10-day course
These courses have been developed in line with industry requirements and customer feedback. They provide a great ground for new technicians and can be taken alongside GWO and NFPA certification for a complete new hire package. For employers these solutions are a great way to ensure their new hires get the right training, taking the hassle out of dealing with this in-house. Numbers can be scaled up and down and of course, there are no overheads when people aren’t being trained
Bespoke training options

Company training requirements differ from business to business and this is where STL USA bespoke technical training comes into its own. Taking a bespoke option allows you to hand-pick from a large range of modules to build a course that’s unique to your needs. Have technicians who have very different roles. No problem. Your package can be split into a number of disciplines to accommodate the requirements of different teams. These modules include:

Wind skills
 
Introduction to Turbine Generators
Oscilloscopes
Failure Analysis
Maintaining Bearings
Precision Measuring Instruments
Hydraulic System Operation
Hydraulic Pumps, Pumping Principles and Accumulators
Pressure Controls
Directional and Flow Controls
Hydraulic Actuators
Fundamentals of Lubrication
Lubrication Maintenance
Introduction to Mechanical Print Reading
Lines Used in Mechanical Print Reading
Dimensions in Mechanical Print Reading
Mechanical Seals
Hand Operated Equipment
Forklifts and Cranes
Principles and Practices of Predictive Maintenance
Vibration Analysis
Lubricant and Trend Analysis
Techniques for Extending Bearing Life
Principles of Reverse Double Dial Alignment
Reverse Double Dial Alignment Procedure
Pressure Measurement
Flow Measurement
Temperature Measurement
Level Measurement
Calibration Principles
Calibrating Pressure and Differential Pressure Instruments
Calibrating Flow Instruments
Calibrating Level Instruments
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Test Devices
Electronic Test Devices
Calibrating Meteorological Instrumentation
 Boroscope

Foundational skills

AC Motor Theory
AC Motor Maintenance
DC Motor Theory
DC Motor Maintenance
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Limit Switches
Switches, Coils, and Overloads
Troubleshooting Electrical Control Circuits
Inverters: Operation and Maintenance

Multimeters
Ammeters, Meggers and Wheatstone Bridge
Electrical Schematics
Electrical Diagrams
Principles of Operation
Interpreting Ladder Logic
Programmable Controllers for Analog Control
Introduction to Transformers
Transformer operations and maintenance

Hand Tools
Torque and Tensioning
Ladders and Scaffolding

Distributed Control Fundamentals
Maintaining Distributed Control Systems
Electronic Controllers
Calibrating Temperature Instruments
Instruments In Hazardous Environments

Safety 

NFPA 70E low and high voltage

GWO Control of Hazardous Energies

 

As you can see the options are extensive. STL USA believes this offers the perfect training options for an industry that is moving quickly, needs to hire aggressively but is committed to ensuring technician safety and competency.

Interested in training with STL USA

Click the link to find out more 

GWO IQT: Prioritising quality

GWO IQT

North America's only IQT qualified training provider

STL USA is delighted to announce that we are the only Instructor Qualification Training (IQT) qualified GWO training provider in North America. Not only are the STL USA team IQT qualified but we are also the only North American team that can train instructors in this standard.

What is IQT?

The GWO Instructor Qualification Training (IQT) framework focusses on ways to deliver higher numbers of qualified wind technician instructors. The piloting stage was carried out across four continents to capture the experience and assessments of as many instructors on how best to tackle the shortage of industry-ready instructors and to improve the overall quality of GWO tuition. 

Why is IQT important?

Pre-IQT no formal process existed for instructor qualification beyond the internal Participate>Observe>Co-deliver>Deliver under Observation process laid out in the requirements for training providers. This process is implemented by the training providers themselves and therefore lacks an objective framework to ensure instructor competence and ability. 

This has led many in wind to ask how do you know that instructors can deliver good training.

IQT aims to change this.

Quality and safety go hand in hand?

Averting a race to the bottom. Something that was on everyone’s minds at the recent GWO Training conference in Dallas. This is something that poses a real risk to training standards and the quality of delivery. Put simply as more training entities come into the US market how do we ensure that downward price pressure doesn’t also cause a decline in training quality? Well. it’s not a simple question to answer, IQT certainly addresses teaching quality however auditing also needs to shape up to ensure that GWO and the GWO Standards aren’t devalued. What’s positive is this is recognized and solutions are beginning to emerge. However, there is still a portion left up to the employer to identify who’s good and who’s not so good.

GWO IQT panel Dallas

STL USA’s Brandon McKelvain took part in the recent IQT panel as one of the leading GWO instructors worldwide. Brandon has been heavily involved in IQT development as he is committed to training excellence as everyone is at STL USA.

The principles behind IQT

In a practical sense, IQT is more focussed on the actual teaching as opposed to the course content. Once IQT-qualified instructors still need time to learn course materials, practice delivery, and be signed off on individual courses. However, this can be done much faster than the usual 4-week process. This is great for a growing industry. 

I’m a training provider, how do i get IQT?

Currently, STL USA is the only training provider in North America qualified to deliver an IQTT ( IQT trainer training).

With this in mind, we are aiming to run our first open-enrollment course in February 2024. You can contact us below if you are interested in participating in this training.

Interested in training with STL USA

Click the link to find out more 

GWO Bundle training courses

GWO Bundle training courses

Build additional value into your GWO training.

As the market is ramping up hiring and growth STL USA has worked hard to develop a range of GWO Bundle training courses. GWO Bundle training combines the well know GWO courses with a range of additional certification. 

What are the courses?

Courses include

  1. GWO BST & Confined Space Awareness
  2. GWO ART & Confined space rescue
  3. GWO BTT & Schematics
  4. GWO CoHE & NFPA &70E
  5. GWO Lift & 3s Lift User
Does this mean more training time?

In most cases no. We’ve taken the requirements from each part of the bundle and created a combined curricullum that meets both. Crucially we’ve done this in a way that requires no additional training time for the technician. This means more value and more skills and knowledge for participants.

Where can I take these courses?

Bundle courses can be taken at an STL USA facility or onsite at your wind farm of office location. Don’t have a tower? No problem we can come to you with our mobile training trailer and offer you a complete training experience at your site.

What about cost savings?

We know technicians need to acquire more than just GWO certificates. That’s why we’ve bundled GWO training with a range of universally popular training courses. Like GWO Control of Hazardous energies and NFPA 70E electrical safety training. Both are must-haves for technicians in the field. 

By creating a curriculum that meets the requirements of both we’ve been able to keep contact time down to purely the GWO timeframe. That means no additional training days and no more additional overheads.

Course delivery can be done in a variety of formats that combine both digital and face-to-face formats. This is a great way to further reduce time away from site by taking the theory elements of the courses online in advance of purely practical face-to-face training to complete the course.

Interested in training with STL USA

Click the link to find out more 

Keeping costs down, wind tech mobile training solutions for 2024

mobile wind tech training

Train onsite, save time and money.

As the requirements for certifications increase across the industry, it’s never been more vital that training solutions are sensitive to costs and time impacts for employers.

With this in mind, STL USA is expanding its mobile/onsite training offer for 2024 on the back of a highly successful series of onsite GWO training courses delivered across the US this year.

Why train with STL USA?

The STL USA team has years of wind tech teaching experience, plus they have all spent time in the field doing the same jobs as the technicians they teach. STL USA is at the forefront of wind tech training, often the first to bring new courses to the industry. STL USA is trusted by the biggest companies in wind to deliver. The team has trained onsite for people like GE and Siemens throughout 2023.

Why train onsite?

Onsite training is a great option if you have access to a wind site. You can cut out the need for travel and accomodation costs if your techs are local to the site, and because your team remains onsite they are available if they are needed.

How does it work?

The STL USA team can visit your site with a mobile training rig for rescue and working at height modules, the rest of the course can run in a meeting room or similar that will serve as a classroom, and that’s it.

Add your site to our 2024 plans

Fill in the form to add your site to our 2024 onsite plans. There is no obligation to book training. Once we have a draft schedule in place this will be sent to you for consideration.

Unlocking the Potential of Wind Energy: Preparing College Students for the Booming Workforce

Unlocking the Potential of Wind Energy

Working together for a bright future for wind

The wind energy industry in the United States is on the brink of a major transformation. As the country shifts towards sustainable and renewable energy sources to combat climate change and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, the demand for skilled workers in the wind energy sector is poised to explode. This growing demand presents a unique challenge and opportunity for colleges and universities across the nation. How can these institutions prepare their students to enter the workforce of this booming industry, which promises a brighter, greener future for the United States?

The Wind Energy Boom in the USA

The United States has witnessed a remarkable expansion in wind energy production in recent years. With a rapidly increasing number of wind farms across the country, wind energy has become a major contributor to the nation’s energy mix. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the wind industry has created over 120,000 jobs, and wind energy capacity has grown by 6% in 2020 alone. This remarkable growth is largely attributed to the renewable energy initiatives that aim to achieve 100% clean energy in various states.

The reasons behind this surge are multifaceted. Wind energy is not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable. It offers a means of generating power with minimal greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical part of the clean energy landscape. Additionally, the U.S. government has provided incentives and tax credits for wind energy projects, further driving investment in the sector. This combination of environmental responsibility and economic incentives positions wind energy as a powerhouse of opportunity for the job market.

The Skills Gap in Wind Energy

While the wind energy industry is poised to expand exponentially, there is a significant challenge to overcome: the skills gap. As the demand for skilled workers surges, there is a scarcity of qualified individuals to fill these positions. The skills required for careers in the wind energy sector are specialized and demand a unique blend of knowledge and hands-on experience.

Roles in wind energy include wind turbine technicians, engineers, project managers, environmental consultants, and more. These positions require skills in areas such as mechanical and electrical engineering, data analysis, project management, environmental science, and renewable energy technologies. With the specialized nature of these roles, colleges and universities must address the gap by developing targeted programs that equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge.

How Colleges Can Prepare Students for the Wind Energy Workforce?

To address the growing demand for skilled workers in the wind energy sector, colleges and universities need to take proactive steps. Here are some key strategies they can employ:

Tailored Curriculum: Colleges should develop and offer specialized programs and courses in renewable energy and wind technology. These programs should provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of wind energy, including wind turbine technology, energy generation, and environmental impact assessments.

Hands-On Experience: Practical training is crucial in preparing students for the workforce. Collaborations with wind energy companies, internships, and apprenticeships can offer students the hands-on experience they need to thrive in the field. Colleges can also consider establishing their own wind energy labs or partnerships with existing facilities.

Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with wind energy companies and industry associations can help colleges stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and job requirements. These partnerships can also lead to research opportunities and job placement programs. A number of institutions already partner with STL USA to help deliver industry accreditations that improve student’s employability in the sector.

Renewable Energy Research: Encouraging research in renewable energy and wind technology can not only contribute to the field but also provide students with opportunities to engage in real-world problem-solving. By working on cutting-edge projects, students can gain valuable experience and expertise.

Inclusivity and Diversity: To ensure a well-rounded and diverse workforce in the wind energy sector, colleges should focus on inclusivity and diversity in their programs. Encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue careers in renewable energy is essential for building a workforce that reflects the broader population.

Continuing Education: Wind energy is an ever-evolving field, with new technologies and practices emerging regularly. Colleges should offer continuing education and professional development programs to help current industry professionals stay up-to-date and adapt to changing requirements.

Sustainability Education: Given the environmental nature of wind energy, it is essential for colleges to incorporate sustainability education into their programs. Students should understand not only how wind energy works but also the broader environmental implications and benefits of renewable energy sources.

The role of colleges and universities in preparing students for the booming wind energy workforce is pivotal. As the United States continues its transition towards sustainable energy sources, educational institutions have a unique opportunity to nurture the talent needed to drive this transformation. By offering specialized programs, fostering industry partnerships, and promoting hands-on experience, colleges can equip their students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the growing wind energy sector. In doing so, they play a vital role in accelerating the nation’s transition to a greener and more sustainable future.

Interested in partnering with STL USA

Click the link to find out more about our dedicated program for schools and colleges

GWO Lift user and 3S Climb auto system user training

GWO Lift Training

Train GWO Lift user and 3S Climb auto system use with STL USA

STL USA has launched another new range of courses. GWO Lift Training (all modules) and 3S Climb Autosystem and Climb assist user training. The STL USA team has also created a combined course for companies looking to gain a GWO certification and qualify their personnel to operate 3S systems.

Both training courses, combined, are available from STL USA’s Abilene, TX headquarters. Additionally these courses will become available onsite from 2024.

As lift systems become ever more popular and the requirements to have GWO certification expand STL USA is well-positioned to help customers achieve these qualifications. 

GWO Lift user training

GWO Lift Training comprises of 3 modules:

User, 1/2 day course

Commissioning and inspection, 1 day course 

Commission, inspection, installation and maintenance, 2 day course

Modules can be taken individually or in combination, 3S certificates can additionally be added to these courses with no significant increase in training time.

3S Climb Auto system user training

The 3S user training allows technicians to safely operate the 3S assisted systems. It’s a requirement that anyone using these systems takes user training. Normally this is delivered at installation and then at maintenance periods throughtout the lifetime. That means however that anyone who misses this training, new hires, visiting contractors for example will be unable to gain this certificate from 3S. That’s why STL USA has partnered with 3S to offer the training course year round.

Training covers:

1. Climb Auto System Simple Operation Guide

2. Explanation of Symbols

3. Pre-Operation Considerations

4. Product Description

5. Product Structure

6. Product Operation

7. Inspection and Maintenance

8. Annual Inspection and Maintenance

9. Spare Parts Ordering

10. Storage

11. Environmental Protection Requirements

12. Emergency Evacuation Instruction

13. Troubleshooting

 

The combined course

Many of the lesson areas overlap between these two training courses. With that in mind STL USA has created a combined course to cover both. This can be taken by technicians in the same timescale as the GWO courses.

Scheduling

As a dedicated wind technician training company STL USA aims to have course availability every month for all the courses delivered. The easiest way to get more information and to book a course is to speak to a member of the STL USA team, Follow the link below to get started.

Book Lift user training

Click the link and contact a member of the STL USA team for booking and information

Train GWO onsite

Save time and money, train GWO onsite with STL USA

STL USA have expanded our onsite GWO training for 2023 and as we look ahead we are planning the states we will visit in 2024 we thought it was a great opportunity to detail all the aspects of onsite training in this blog. 

When you train GWO onsite with STL USA you can rest assured that you receive exactly the same course content and exercises you would in a training environment. To this end, and to improve onsite teaching, STL USA employs a mobile training unit that is used for GWO Basic Safety Training – Working at Height and GWO Advanced Rescue Training modules. 

Alongside this we encourage the use of actual turbines, which allows us to practice rescue exercises in the environment where technicians actually work. As an added bonus we work with the technicians to help with rescue plans and have worked with local first responders to familiarise them with the wind turbine and potential rescue situations.

How does onsite GWO training work?

Onsite training is very straightforward. STL USA arrive onsite with our mobile training unit, conduct a risk assessment and then commence training. If the onsite team want to use a turbine for certain exercises then this needs to be shut down for use, classroom portions of training are usually conducted in a meeting or conference room, and that’s about it.

Why train GWO onsite?

The obvious benefits of onsite training are the cost and time savings for travel and lodging usually associated with a trip to the training center. Beyond that logistically onsite training can be much easier for sites to plan around, with technicians able to jump off training if absolutely necessary to deal with issues at the site. This is of course impossible if they’re 1,000 miles away at training.

The final benefit, and in our opinion the most important from a skills development perspective is the ability to train in the live environment. No matter how good a training center may be it will never be as good as the actual wind turbines that technicians work on. Through our blended onsite approach technicians get to learn in the mobile training environment and then practice exercises in a turbine. Simply put this ensures they have the skills and knowledge to deal with problem scenarios on the equipment they use in the real world.

GWO onsite courses available

STL USA trains a range of GWO and non-GWO courses onsite, including GWO Basic Safety Training and GWO Advanced Rescue Training as well as NFPA 70E electrical safety training.

Which states are covered

STL USA trains GWO onsite across the USA focussing on the main wind States. Our annual program focuses on regions through particular times of the year. For example, North Eastern and Northern states are covered from April to October (weather permitting ) with a focus on the warmer States from October to March. The map below gives an indication of areas, if you can’t see yours just give us a call.

The booking process

Booking is simple, click the link below to speak with a member of the team. Onsite training requires 2-3 weeks notice.

Future course availability

Onsite training for the remainder of 2023 is now focused on the Southern and warmer States. The program for 2024 will include the Northeast – New York State, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio then moving to the Northern States – Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Heading over to the West and then circling back down to Texas. Each region will have roughly a 2-month window.

Onsite team lead

Onsite GWo training is led by Jerry Rodriguez. Jerry has years of GWO teaching experience and specialises in basic and advanced rescue training. Jerry’s background in the fire service makes him perfectly suited to working with all types of different environments and he consistently receives 5 star feedback for his training course delivery 

Book onsite GWO training

click the link and contact a member of the STL USA team for booking and information

WindStart program

A complete program to get you into wind energy

STL has created the WindStart program to help people get into wind. Why? Because, wind energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the USA, with above-average salaries and a huge demand for new workers. This post explores why you should consider a career in wind and why WindStart is the perfect place to start.

A growing market

Significant growth is forecast in the US wind energy market over the next 5 years. It’s estimated the market will grow by 50% over this time period. Fuelled by Government incentives and reduced costs wind energy is the fastest-growing jobs market in the USA. 

Wind energy market growth
The training program

WindStart includes two-course options. The first covers all the required industry qualifications; GWO Basic Safety, GWO Basic Technical, GWO Advanced Rescue plus electrical safety and access to windtech careers. The second option includes an additional week of technical training covering all major aspects of a wind turbine.

Funding

Through our long-standing partnership with Texas State Technical College, up to 60% of course fees can be covered by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 

As Wind Turbine Service Technician is an in-demand career option, these courses are eligible for WIOA funding which provides up to $4,500 for an individual to train. 

Funding requirements: Not already working in sector, or unemployed.

On-the-job training, linking to business

As part of the WindStart program STL USA is working with our customer base to create 2-3 week paid job placements for students who successfully pass through the WindStart training. This is a great stepping stone to employment and is a perfect opportunity to experience life in the field.

Recruitment, jobs

STL USA has also set up windtech.careers a jobs site specifically for wind technicians and employers in the wind industry. All students who pass through WindStart have the opportunity to create a free resume which is shared with over 300 employers in the wind sector.

How to access WindStart?

Booking onto courses is really simple, just click the link below and a member of the STL USA team will help you book onto a course, secure funding and give you all the information you need to start your journey in wind.

Find out more about WindStart

Click the link and fill in the form for more information.