GWO trained workforce passes 100,000

PRESS RELEASE – 3rd March 2021 - The world’s largest wind energy employers are on track to achieve a globally standardised system of safety and technical training, for hundreds of thousands of workers; new numbers reveal today.  

Global Wind Organisation, which represents 17 global wind turbine manufacturers and owner/operators has published its Annual Report 2020, showing a 12% growth of the GWO trained workforce worldwide, reaching a total of 100,052 (2019: 88,030).

GWO strives to create an injury free working environment in wind by ensuring workers receive a standardised, basic minimum level of training, wherever they are in the world.

Paul Robbins, Chair of the Global Wind Organisation Executive Committee & Chief H&S Specialist at Vestas, explains: “Wind power is an essential industry generating clean renewable energy to power millions of homes and businesses. Our workforce has been out there on and offshore, keeping turbines running and producing energy, despite the obvious challenges of COVID-19.

“We rely on GWO training providers to keep our technicians’ safety skills up to scratch. By taking careful and sensible precautions against infection risk when permitted to open by their governments, GWO training providers have really stepped up when our industry needed them most.

“This resulted in almost 220,000 GWO courses being completed last year, an amazing feat that I would like to thank and congratulate the entire network for their work in achieving.”

Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of Global Wind Organisation adds: “The results of this annual report demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of our network, while underlining the value of a global standard. With workers classified as essential by most governments, we have worked together with our members and the GWO training provider network creating innovative new ways to train people, blending digital solutions with traditional instruction and making sure a good standard of safety is always upheld.”

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