We recently took part in a panel discussion at a Cleanpower event, The future workforce. It brought together representatives from the sector including GWO training provider STL USA, GWO, and Texas State Technical College. It was a great opportunity for industry and education to come together and talk about how we will staff the wind sector in the coming years.
But, it also highlighted a key problem, industry and education are not aligned right now and they need to be. Many of the qualifications and certifications required by technicians are not taught in schools but they could be, easily.
Technical colleges in the USA have a responsibility to provide their students with high-quality education that prepares them for successful careers in their chosen fields. In the rapidly-growing wind energy industry, this means ensuring that students have the necessary knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively. One way that technical colleges can achieve this goal is by adopting Global Wind Organization (GWO) certification for their wind energy courses.
GWO certification is a globally recognized mark of quality that is widely recognized in the wind energy industry. Many employers require their employees to hold GWO certification, as it demonstrates that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively in the wind energy industry. Therefore, by incorporating GWO certification into their wind energy courses, technical colleges can provide their students with a competitive advantage in the job market.
But the benefits of GWO for education extend beyond just career prospects. GWO certification covers a wide range of essential skills and knowledge areas for wind energy professionals, including safety training, working at heights, first aid, and fire awareness. By including GWO certification as part of their wind energy curriculum, technical colleges can ensure that their graduates are well-prepared for the challenges and demands of the wind energy industry.
Moreover, GWO for education can help standardize training and certification processes in the wind energy industry. By adopting a common set of standards and guidelines for training and certification, GWO certification can help to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the wind energy sector. Technical colleges that adopt GWO certification can contribute to this goal, and provide their students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely in the industry.
But technical colleges do not have to adopt GWO certification on their own. They can work with a GWO training provider like STL USA, a leading wind energy training organization, to adopt GWO certification for their wind energy courses. To partner with STL USA could not be more easy. STL USA has extensive experience in the wind energy industry and is an authorized GWO training provider. Therefore, by working with STL USA, technical colleges can ensure that their wind energy programs meet the highest standards of quality and relevance.
Working with STL USA to adopt GWO certification can also benefit technical colleges’ reputations and attract more students to their wind energy programs. GWO certification is a mark of quality that is recognized globally, and technical colleges that offer GWO-certified wind energy courses can enhance the reputation of their programs. This, in turn, can attract more students to the program, and the institution can benefit from having a strong wind energy program.
In conclusion, technical colleges in the USA should work with STL USA to adopt GWO certification for their wind energy courses. GWO for education can provide students with a competitive edge in the job market, ensure that they are well-prepared for the demands of the wind energy industry, improve safety, standardize training and certification processes, and enhance the reputation and quality of their wind energy programs. By adopting GWO certification, technical colleges can provide their students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the rapidly-growing wind energy industry.
About the Global Wind Organisation
The Global Wind Organization (GWO) is an international non-profit organization that provides training and certification programs for professionals working in the wind energy industry. GWO was established in 2009 by leading wind energy companies with the aim of creating a safer and more productive work environment for wind energy professionals.
The organization’s primary mission is to standardize safety training and certification processes in the wind energy industry. The GWO provides a range of safety training modules for wind energy professionals, covering essential topics such as working at heights, first aid, manual handling, and fire awareness. These training modules are designed to meet the highest safety standards and are updated regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.
The GWO’s certification programs are recognized by leading wind energy companies worldwide, and many employers require their employees to hold GWO certification before working on wind energy projects. GWO certification is considered a mark of quality and professionalism in the wind energy industry and is highly valued by employers and wind energy professionals alike.
GWO has a global network of certified training providers, who deliver the organization’s training and certification programs to wind energy professionals worldwide. These training providers must meet strict quality standards and are audited regularly to ensure that they continue to meet the GWO’s requirements.
Overall, the GWO is an essential organization in the wind energy industry, providing standardized safety training and certification programs that help to improve safety, increase productivity, and promote professionalism among wind energy professionals.
About STL USA
STL USA is one of the leading wind technician training providers in North America. Part of the Cresto Group, a network of safety solution businesses, STL USA enjoys an envious position within a global wind focussed alliance of companies. Constant improvement is built into the DNA of both STL USA and the wider group with training, and GWO at the fore of the solutions provided.
STL USA has a long history of working side-by-side with technical colleges. Born out by our relationship with TSTC which has seen us support the implementation of GWO courses into the college’s wind programs. The TSTC wind program is widely recognized as one of the best in the country. The addition of GWO only reinforces this giving graduating students a clear edge in the jobs market.
