Digital wind training coming soon

Digital wind training coming soon

Digital wind training coming soon from STL USA

The whole team at STL USA is getting excited for the launch of STL USA Digital, a comprehensive digital learning and management platform exclusively for the wind industry.

STL USA Digital has been designed to offer practical benefits to both wind techs and companies who require training and learning solutions. 

Avoiding digital for digital’s sake

Led by our VP Ben Dickens the digital project has been focussed on 3 key user and customer benefits.

  • Ease of use/improves efficiency
  • Improvement in customer satisfaction
  • Improvement in training and learning quality

This user focussed approach ensures that STL USA continues to offer best in class solutions, focussed on the needs of customers.

We strongly believe that STL USA Digital will make the overall experience of wind tech education better, enabling more learning opportunities on a more regular basis. This ties into STL USA’s long term vision which is to help build a future proof workforce for wind.

As we grow and develop STL USA Digital we anticipate it becoming the go to resource for this fast moving industry.

 

STL USA is well-placed to lead in digital

If you had a penny for every time someone wanted to build an app!

Sadly, and particularly within b2b industries, diving into digital transformation without a clear idea of what needs to be achieved is all to common. It was something that has preyed on our minds throughout the project. Focussing on the customer has helped us keep on track for a solution that works and more importantly delivers value.

However, we have had a bit of head start. STL USA Digital has been steered by North American VP Ben Dickens who brings over 20 years experience in building digital and integrated solutions. Ben’s background in marketing and tech has been invaluable and can certainly be said to be unique amongst USA wind training providers. Previous projects Ben has led include AI learning solutions, LMS solutions, travel apps, digital finance and banking, it’s a big list. It’s also vitally important as this experience feeds directly into the digital solution and m makes sure it does what it says on the tin.

 

Get ahead of the queue

Get in touch and book a walk through of the system with one of STL USAs customer team

GWO Training center Abilene, Texas

GWO Training center Abilene, Texas

GWO training center Abilene, leading wind tech education

The STL USA -GWO Training center Abilene is one of the premier training sites in the USA

Creating a world class GWO Training center in Abilene was a key goal for STL USA to compliment the existing GWO training center Texas, based in Sweetwater at the Texas State Technical College. The site includes over 10,000 Sq Ft of indoor training space, an outdoor tower and Advanced Rescue Training set-up. Openend in 2021 the site delivers a comprehensive program of GWO training courses, including the Basic Safety Training, Basic Technical Training, Advanced Rescue Training, Lift User and Control of Hazardous Energies courses.

More than that however a number of additional technical and electrical safety courses are covered to provide a comprehensive training resource for customers in Texas and beyond.

 

Indoor and Outdoor

 

GWO Lift Training

GWO Lift training using our 3s lift set-up.

 

 

GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation

State of the art equipment for BTT Mechanical and Bolt Tightening

 

 

GWO Training center Abilene, Texas

One of the highest towers in use in the USA for GWO training.

 

Comprehensive training all in one place

The set-up of STL USA’s GWO training center Abilene is designed so that wind techs can train everything under one roof. This helps reduce customer overheads for training and cuts down on the time required to get technicians the certs they need.

Get help with a training course

SPeak to a member of STL USA’s knowledgable team for more info

Press Release – A first for STL USA

GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation

First North American trainer to provide BTT Bolt Tightening

STL USA are delighted to announce we are the first North American GWO trainer to offer BTT Bolt Tightening

Announcing the launch of the NEW BTT Bolt Tightening course. The new course sits alongside the existing training modules offered as part of the Basic Technical Training – Electrical, Hydraulic, Installation, and Mechanical.

Working with GWO to launch the course

“The work conducted with STL USA, during the development of the new Bolt Tightening module, is an example of how GWO and training providers collaborate to develop training products that meet industry and market needs. The new Bolt Tightening module is a significant update from training previously offered in the BTT Mechanical and addresses the increasing complexity, safety, and quality demands of bolt tightening in the wind industry today. In addition to tensioning, torquing, and mechanical handling aids, the new module places emphasis on the planning, documentation, and reviewing of bolt-tightening tasks. This aligns the new Bolt Tightening module with the job performance requirements and prepares participants for further company-specific training.”

– Christopher Furlan, Training Project Manager

Key improvements to the BTT

“BTT Bolt has taken some of the bolting elements from the old BTT mechanical standard and supercharged them alongside some additional areas vital for technicians. It’s a great course and rounds out the BTT nicely”.

-Brandon McKelvain Training Manager

 

“Working closely with GWO in the development stages of the standard was great. It enabled us to develop a great course and provide GWO with practical feedback before launch.”
-Ben Dickens VP North America

Download the Press Release

Click the button to download pdf

GWO BTT Bolt Tightening

GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation

1st US provider to launch new BTT Bolt Tightening

STL USA are delighted to announce we are the first North American GWO trainer to offer BTT Bolt Tightening

STL USA has recently been successfully audited to launch the new BTT Bolt Tightening course. This course will sit alongside the traditional BTT course electrical, hydraulic and mechanical to form a new 4-module BTT. Course attendees will also be able to take BTT Bolt alongside BTT Mechanical and Installation for those working in pre-assembly and installation roles. 

The whole team at STL USA is super proud of the work put in by our training staff to develop this course and expand our range of training across the whole of the entry-level framework. It’s now clearer than ever for companies in wind to understand the skills and training their people need which is a great move for the industry.

Working with GWO to launch the course

In the run up to the launch of the BTT Bolt standard STL USA we’re able to work closely with GWO Project Manager who was developing the standard. This was great for both entities as STL USA could provide practical feedback on the application of the standard in training and GWO was able to share the standard standards before launch. It really was a win-win.

Key areas of GWO Bolt Tightening

At course completion attendees will be able to act independently to safely plan, carry out and complete generic bolt torquing and tensioning tasks to
specification using energy-powered equipment. The module covers both how to tighten bolts safely and correctly, and how to plan, document, and review bolt-tightening tasks.

Find out More

Speak to a member of the team.

Megger testing equipment

Megger testing

Better equipment, better training

STL USA are delighted to announce we will be carrying a range of Megger testing equipment for use in courses

STL USA has recently taken onboard a range of Megger testing equipment. STL USA is delighted to be able to incorporate this equipment into our training programmes including grounding and insulation testing. This will allow STL USA to cover of many of the requirements across the ACP micro-credentials alongside electrical modules within GWO Basic Technical Training, GWO Control of Hazardous Energies and more.

Megger are widely recognised as the market leader in this field.

Learn more about Megger here

Megger

“I’m delighted that Megger has provided us with a range of their equipment, it means our students get to train on the best.”

-Ben Dickens VP North America STL USA

“Megger believes supporting electrical training is crucial for the students and the electrical industry. We are proud to partner with quality training institutions such as STL USA”.

-Jeff Hyde, Regional Distribution Sales Manager

 

Electrical course, BTT Electrical, CoHE Electrical Safety, NFPA 70E

STL USA run a range of courses focussed on the electrical side of wind. The GWO BTT Electrical module, GWO CoHE Electrical Safety and Low and High voltage courses to standard NFPA 70E.

In addition we will be launching a range of online, micro courses to provide top-up education for technicians in the coming months.

Course programmes at STL USA are shifting focus, adopting a modular approach that allows STL SUA to build groups of courses together to meet both GWO and ACP recommendations. The most popular courses will always be available as open enrollment however should you need a more bespoke programme a member of the team can work closely with you to identify and define the training you need.

Find out More

Speak to a member of the team.

New GWO courses for 2023

new gwo courses

All new GWO courses for 2023

New GWO courses aligned to the GWO entry level framework and ACP entry level training guide

We’re delighted to announce new GWO courses for 2023. But first a little background on their importance.

As many of you know GWO and ACP have been working hard in unison to launch guidance on training and skills expectations for new and existing wind technicians.  From GWO ‘s perspective, this comes in the form of the Entry Level Wind Technician Framework, for ACP it is the Entry Level Wind Technician training guidelines. Crucially the ACP guide includes many of the core GWO courses.

In both cases, the aim is to offer a simplified set of profiles and corresponding skills and accreditations that each should achieve. This gives employers a clear framework to follow with guidance that aims to ensure a comprehensive understanding of entry-level requirements for operations and maintenance wind technicians for onshore and offshore wind facilities.

More info here:

ACP

GWO

New BTT courses – BTT Bolt Tightening, BTT Installation

The May 2023 update to BTT included the addition of a new course, BTT Bolt TIghtening, which sits alongside the existing Mechanical, Electrical, and Hydraulic courses as part of the core BTT training. In addition, STL USA has also added BTT Installation, which is taken with BTT Mechanical for those technicians that focus on pre-assembly and installation projects. Both courses form a core part of the entry-level frameworks for wind technicians and are available from mid-July.

New Control of Hazardous Energies (CoHE) courses

Hazardous energies pose a high risk of injury to all workers working within the wind industry. One of the reasons for this is that hazardous energies are found in various forms within the wind turbine environment and within the environment of a wind farm.

The CoHE course is a core component of the entry-level framework, formed of three modules covering basic safety, electrical safety, and pressure fluid safety. Available in mid-July.

New Lift courses

STL USA is delighted to be adding GWO lift training from our facility, using 3S lift equipment.

Training in accordance with this Lift Standard will enable participants to take responsibility to support and care for themselves and others while operating and working on a lift in the wind industry. This is vitally important as lifts become more and more commonplace in newer turbines. Available mid-July.

 

Improving standardization

It has been a clear goal of industry bodies to provide a level of standardization across the wind industry to ensure consistency across skills, accreditations, and competence. But above all, it gives employers certainty in the expectations for their staff. STL USA is a major supporter of this drive.

Find out More

Speak to a member of the team.

Personal rescue device – Wind Escape

Personal rescue device

True innovation in personal rescue

Wind Escape: A Rescue Descender for Wind

The Wind Escape is a personal rescue descender designed for use in wind, telecommunications, industry, and oil and gas. It features an auto-lock, two or one-hand descent, anti-panic braking, smooth horizontal movement, shock absorption, and partner rescue features.

Auto-Lock

The Wind Escape’s auto-lock feature provides a secure hold when the user is not actively descending. This prevents the user from accidentally slipping or falling.

Two or One-Hand Descent

The Wind Escape can be descended with either one or two hands. This makes it ideal for use in situations where the user’s hands may be occupied, such as when carrying a load or helping another person.

Anti-Panic Braking

The Wind Escape’s anti-panic braking system helps to prevent the user from losing control of the descender in the event of a panic. This can be a lifesaver in situations where the user is feeling overwhelmed or scared.

Smooth Horizontal Movement

The Wind Escape’s smooth horizontal movement allows the user to move freely while descending. This is important in situations where the user may need to navigate around obstacles or uneven terrain.

Shock Absorption

The Wind Escape’s shock absorption system helps to protect the user from injury in the event of a fall. This is important in situations where the user may be descending from a great height.

Partner Rescue

The Wind Escape’s partner rescue features allow the user to safely rescue another person who is in trouble. This can be a lifesaver in situations where the other person is unable to descend on their own.

 

The Wind Escape is a versatile and reliable rescue descender that is ideal for use in a variety of industries. It is easy to use and features a number of safety features that make it a valuable tool for any rescue worker.

 
Additional benefits of using the Wind Escape:
  • It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and store.
  • It is made from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand tough conditions.
  • It is backed by a warranty, which gives you peace of mind knowing that you are covered in the event of a problem.

If you are looking for a reliable and versatile rescue descender, the Wind Escape is a great option. It is a valuable tool for any rescue worker who needs to safely descend in a variety of conditions.

Technical Specifications

– Minimum use temperature of -30°C.
– It incorporates 5mm diameter Technora rope resistant to high temperature and tears.
– Easy maintenance thanks to its vacuum packaging that simplifies the revision.
– Customisable rope length of up to 200m.
– CE EN 341:2011/2D: working load 40 – 120kg.
– ANSI Z359.4-2013: working load 60 – 141kg.
– 200m version’s weight: 4.4kg.

Find out More

Speak to a member of the team and arrange a demo

Rise of the wind techs – TCGM meet up

Rise of the wind techs - TCGM meet up

Join us June 9th in Abilene, TX.

STL USA is delighted to welcome the Tower Climbing Grease Monkey’s (TCGM) team on June 9th. 

The day will be split into two halves. In the morning the TCGM team will be at our Abilene facility to tour the site, have some fun on the tower, and meet with the STL USA team.

 

Then it’s over to the Mesquite event center where there’ll be food, drinks, and a chance for everyone to let their hair down.

Address details:

STL USA training center

Mesquite event center

 

We hope to see you there!

 

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STL USA working with education providers

stl usa working with education

A history of successful college partnerships

STL USA working with education providers has been a constant theme since we began offering wind technician training in the USA. Why? Because to partner with STL USA could not be more simple.

From the early days working with colleges in Michigan to ongoing partnerships with Texas State Technical College and Iowa Lakes Community College. STL USA has honed a process for simple implementation of commercial wind technician training, most specifically GWO accreditations, the default professional qualification for wind technicians and those looking to work in the field. 

Programmes with education follow a simple 4-step process that allows for a fast, low cost roll-out.. These stages include:

COMPLIANT QUALITY MANAGEMENT SET UP

  • QMS set up for partner site
  • Compliance requirements

FACILITIES

  • Audit existing facilities for GWO compliance
  • Gap analysis
  • Roadmap to compliance
TRAIN THE TRAINER
 
  • WEEK 1-2 Course attendance and observation
  • WEEK 3 Supported delivery
  • WEEk 4 Observed course delivery
 
GWO AUDITS
 
  • Pre-Audit run through
  • Independent GWO audit

STL USA have refined this process to ensure a fast, low-cost delivery that results in GWO accreditation within 6-8 weeks. Additionally, once audited the college can then take advantage of commercial training opportunities with local businesses.

Working with TSTC

The partnership between STL USA and Texas State Technical College dates back over 6 years. Initially developed to service local wind technicians, the program was then extended to students. Incorporating GWO into student studies ensures that graduates are in the best possible position to enter the jobs market. 

“Working with STL USA has allowed us to quickly integrate industry requirements into our undergraduate programs. Simply put this makes our graduates more employable. STL USA takes care of everything ensuring our faculty can get on with teaching. It’s been a pleasure working together.”

TSTC Wind program lead

As we move forward with renewables across the USA new legislation will fuel the sector’s growth. It’s anticipated that the clean energy sector will double in the next 10 years requiring an additional 250,000 people to fill roles. With this in mind, it’s essential that the commercial and education sectors come together to ensure the next generation of wind professionals are able to meet the demands of this fast-moving industry.

If you lead a wind program talk to us now about how STL USA can support the role out of a GWO program for your college.

 

Learn more

Get in touch and talk to a team member now about GWO implementation

Innovating digital wind training

Innovating digital wind training

Looking ahead to STL USA's digital training developments

2023 will see the launch of a number of new digital services from STL USA as we innovate digital wind training.

STL USA Digital takes a holistic view of the training landscape particularly where digital training is concerned.. What this means in practice is that digital is designed to enhance and augment, not replace because there are certain training exercises you can only do in the real world.

Stage 1

We want to start simple, the wind industry is slowly moving into more digital oriented training but many prefer the face to face approach, in fact for many of our core training courses face to face is a requirement. That’s why we’ll be initially going live with an enhanced booking solution that will allow users to create accounts,  assign and book their technicians onto courses and track outcomes, download certificates and manage the whole process.

This will quickly be followed by theory modules from our most popular GWO courses. These will initially be taken live online with an option to take a fully digital course added as we gain more feedback from our customers.

The key benefit – A sped-up booking and logistics process followed by a reduction in face-to-face time saving money on travel and expenses.

 

Stage 2

This will see us add further digital-only content with the addition of VR augmented courses maximizing the aspects of each course that can be taught remotely. As our customers build out their technician profiles they will also be able to add third-party certification. We will build on the various APIs that will integrate with the system and provide a simple, scannable method for technicians and their employers to share information on certification.
 
The key benefit – A range of digital courses that build on and enhance existing face-to-face training and a streamlined process for logging and sharing technician accreditations.

 

Stage 3

It’s vitally important to STL USA that we play our role in developing a workforce capable of supporting the growth in wind over the coming years. That’s why the end game in digital is not about simply selling more of what we’re great at. As our training system evolves we will add additional partner content, much of which will be free to access for technicians looking to develop their knowledge and skills. And that’s what we believe a true digital resource should be, technician focussed with valuable resources that help everyone.

Watch this space!

 

Get ahead of the queue

Get in touch and book a walk through of the system with one of STL USAs customer team