Working in the wind industry can involve climbing wind turbines, working at height, carrying out technical maintenance, handling heavy equipment, working offshore, and responding to emergencies in challenging environments. Because of the nature of the work, specialist training is essential.
This is where Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training comes in.
At One Stop Safety Training, we provide a growing range of GWO training courses across the UK, including GWO Working at Height, GWO First Aid, GWO Fire Awareness, GWO Manual Handling, GWO Sea Survival, GWO Advanced Rescue Training, GWO Bolt Tightening, GWO Slinger Signaller and a range of GWO refresher courses.
What Is GWO Training?
The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) is an organisation made up of leading companies in the wind industry that develops standardised training for people working in wind energy.
GWO training is designed around the specific risks and working conditions encountered in the wind industry. The training standards cover areas such as first aid, working at height, manual handling, fire awareness, sea survival, rescue and technical skills.
GWO describes its Basic Safety Training as providing participants with the knowledge and skills required in areas including first aid, working at height, manual handling, fire awareness and sea survival.
This standardised approach means workers can undertake recognised training that is relevant to the requirements of the global wind energy industry.
Working in wind energy is very different from working in a conventional construction or industrial environment.
A wind turbine technician may find themselves working hundreds of feet above ground, operating in confined areas inside a turbine, working offshore, or dealing with an injured colleague in a remote location.
GWO training prepares workers for these situations by developing practical skills that can be used in real emergencies and day-to-day wind industry activities.
Training can cover areas including:
- Working safely at height
- Emergency rescue
- First aid
- Fire response
- Manual handling
- Sea survival
- Technical lifting activities
- Bolt tightening
- Slinger signalling
The emphasis on practical training is particularly important for wind industry workers, where emergency services may not be immediately accessible.
What GWO Courses Are Available?
There are several different types of GWO training, with the right course depending on your job role, previous training and the requirements of your employer.
GWO Working at Height
GWO Working at Height training is designed for people who need to work at height within the wind industry.
The course develops knowledge and practical skills around working safely at height, including the use of relevant personal protective equipment and emergency procedures.
Working at height is an inherent part of many wind turbine roles, making this an important part of wind industry safety training.
One Stop Safety Training currently offers GWO Working at Height courses in locations including Liverpool and Clydebank - Glasgow.
GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher
For workers who already hold relevant GWO training, refresher training provides an opportunity to review and maintain their skills.
Our upcoming schedule includes GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher Training in Liverpool, Clydebank - Glasgow, Dyce - Aberdeen and Teesside.
GWO updated its Basic Safety Training standard in March 2026, including changes to Working at Height training and the structure of refresher training.
GWO First Aid
GWO First Aid training is designed specifically around the challenges faced by workers in the wind industry.
The training covers lifesaving first aid skills that can be used in a wind turbine environment while waiting for further medical assistance.
GWO's current Basic Safety Training standard includes First Aid as one of its core safety modules.
One Stop Safety Training currently has GWO First Aid courses available in Liverpool and Clydebank - Glasgow.
GWO First Aid Refresher
GWO First Aid Refresher training allows existing delegates to refresh their knowledge and practical skills.
Upcoming courses are available in locations including Liverpool, Clydebank - Glasgow, Dyce - Aberdeen and Teesside.
Refresher training is particularly important for workers who need to maintain current GWO training records as part of their employment in the wind industry.
GWO Enhanced First Aid
GWO Enhanced First Aid is designed for workers who may need to provide a higher level of medical assistance in remote wind industry environments.
The current GWO Enhanced First Aid standard focuses on providing immediate lifesaving and enhanced first aid measures, including the use of advanced emergency equipment and medical teleconsultation when working in remote areas.
One Stop Safety Training provides GWO Enhanced First Aid training in Liverpool, Clydebank - Glasgow and Teesside.
Fire presents a serious risk within wind turbines, particularly because workers may be operating at significant height or in locations where evacuation can be challenging.
GWO Fire Awareness training helps workers understand fire risks and the appropriate response to a fire within a wind industry environment.
Upcoming GWO Fire Awareness courses are available in Liverpool and Clydebank - Glasgow.
GWO Manual Handling
Manual handling is an important consideration for wind turbine technicians who regularly move equipment, tools and components.
GWO Manual Handling training focuses on safe lifting and handling techniques and helps workers understand how to reduce the risk of injury.
Upcoming courses are available in Liverpool and Clydebank - Glasgow.
GWO Sea Survival
For workers involved in offshore wind energy, sea survival training is an essential part of preparing for the working environment.
GWO Sea Survival training covers the skills and knowledge required to respond to emergencies at sea.
One Stop Safety Training currently offers GWO Sea Survival courses in Liverpool and Clydebank - Glasgow.
GWO Advanced Rescue Training
Wind turbine rescue can present extremely challenging circumstances. An injured worker may need to be recovered from a nacelle, hub, tower or basement section of a wind turbine.
GWO Advanced Rescue Training (ART) provides specialist rescue training for these situations.
The current GWO ART standard covers entry-type injured person rescue operations using industry-standard rescue equipment, methods and techniques. The updated standard also incorporates single-rescuer skills into the initial and refresher training modules.
Upcoming GWO Advanced Rescue Training is available in Liverpool, Clydebank - Glasgow and Teesside, with refresher courses also available.
GWO Bolt Tightening
Wind turbine construction and maintenance involves numerous bolted connections, making correct bolt tightening an important technical skill.
GWO Bolt Tightening training is designed for workers who need to develop the appropriate knowledge and practical skills for bolt tightening activities within the wind industry.
One Stop Safety Training currently offers GWO Bolt Tightening courses in Liverpool, Clydebank - Glasgow and Teesside.
GWO Slinger Signaller
Lifting operations are an important part of wind turbine installation, construction and maintenance.
GWO Slinger Signaller training helps workers develop the skills required to safely communicate with crane operators and support lifting operations.
Upcoming courses are available in Liverpool and Teesside.
What Is GWO Basic Safety Training?
GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) is one of the best-known GWO training pathways.
The BST standard brings together core safety subjects relevant to workers in the wind industry. The current standard covers:
- First Aid
- Working at Height
- Manual Handling
- Fire Awareness
- Sea Survival
It also covers the ability to respond to emergencies, including evacuation, rescue and providing appropriate first aid.
The exact training required will depend on your role and whether you work onshore or offshore.
GWO refresher courses are designed for people who have previously completed relevant GWO training and need to refresh their skills.
Refresher training is particularly important because the GWO standards are regularly reviewed and updated.
In March 2026, GWO introduced significant updates to several training standards, including Basic Safety Training, Advanced Rescue Training and Enhanced First Aid.
This means workers and employers should ensure that training is delivered against the current applicable GWO standards.
Where Can You Complete GWO Training?
GWO training schedule includes:
Liverpool
GWO Working at Height
GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher
GWO First Aid
GWO First Aid Refresher
GWO Enhanced First Aid
GWO Fire Awareness
GWO Manual Handling
GWO Sea Survival
GWO Advanced Rescue Training
GWO Bolt Tightening
GWO Slinger Signaller
Clydebank - Glasgow
GWO Working at Height
GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher
GWO First Aid
GWO First Aid Refresher
GWO Enhanced First Aid
GWO Fire Awareness
GWO Manual Handling
GWO Sea Survival
GWO Advanced Rescue Training
GWO Bolt Tightening
Teesside
GWO Advanced Rescue Training
GWO Advanced Rescue Training Refresher
GWO Enhanced First Aid
GWO Enhanced First Aid Refresher
GWO First Aid Refresher
GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher
GWO Fire Awareness
GWO Bolt Tightening
GWO Slinger Signaller
Dyce - Aberdeen
GWO Working at Height & Rescue Refresher
GWO First Aid Refresher
Course availability changes regularly, so it is worth checking the latest GWO course dates before booking.
Whether you're starting a career in wind energy, moving into an offshore wind role, or need to refresh your existing GWO training, choosing the right course is essential.
From GWO Working at Height and GWO First Aid to Advanced Rescue Training, Sea Survival, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling and technical training, One Stop Safety Training can provide a range of GWO courses to support your career in the renewable energy industry.
Check our latest GWO training course dates and availability to find the right course and location for you.
