GWO Training UK
GWO Training UK — What Is It and Who Needs It?
If you are going to work on an offshore wind farm — or any wind farm — you almost certainly need GWO training. Not BOSIET. Not STCW. GWO — the Global Wind Organisation standard that is the baseline safety qualification for the wind energy sector worldwide.
The first time I ventured out to a wind farm i was awestruck by the size and how it all works! Here is everything you need to know, from someone who has worked on UK offshore wind farms.
What Is GWO?
GWO stands for Global Wind Organisation — a non-profit organisation founded by leading wind energy companies including Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, Ørsted, and others. It exists to standardise safety training across the global wind industry.
GWO Basic Safety Training — BST — is the entry-level safety qualification required to work on wind turbines onshore and offshore. It is recognised across the UK wind industry and increasingly across Europe and beyond.
If BOSIET is the entry qualification for oil and gas offshore, GWO BST is the entry qualification for wind energy.
GWO BST Modules — What Is Covered
GWO Basic Safety Training covers five modules. Depending on your role you may need all five or a subset.
First Aid — emergency first aid in wind turbine environments. Focus on remote and difficult-to-access scenarios where professional medical help may be 30 minutes or more away. Includes CPR, defibrillator use, and management of serious injuries in confined spaces.
Manual Handling — safe lifting, carrying, and moving of equipment in turbine environments. Turbine access requires carrying tools and equipment through tight spaces, up ladders, and in physically demanding conditions.
Working at Heights — the critical module for wind turbine technicians. Safe use of fall arrest harnesses, climbing procedures, rescue from height. Wind turbine towers are up to 150 metres tall. The working at height risks are constant and serious.
Fire Awareness — fire risks specific to wind turbine environments. Turbines contain hydraulic fluid, lubrication oil, and electrical equipment. Fire in a turbine nacelle 100 metres in the air is a specific scenario requiring specific training.
Sea Survival — applicable to workers going offshore on CTVs or other marine vessels to reach offshore wind installations. Covers survival in the water, liferaft use, helicopter ditching, and maritime emergency procedures.
GWO vs BOSIET — What Is the Difference?
This is the most common question from people entering the wind industry from other sectors. BOSIET details here
| GWO BST | BOSIET | |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Wind energy | Oil and gas offshore |
| Helicopter ditching | Not standard | Yes — HUET module |
| Working at heights | Detailed — core module | Basic |
| Sea survival | Offshore module only | Full module |
| Validity | 2 years | 4 years |
| Cost | £400 to £600 | £600 to £900 |
For offshore wind work specifically — both GWO and BOSIET may be required depending on the operator and the role. CTV crew and marine personnel typically need STCW. Turbine technicians typically need GWO. Some roles on offshore wind farms require both.
Always check with your specific employer before booking training.
GWO Refresher Training
GWO BST certification is valid for two years. Refresher courses are required to maintain certification. The refresher is shorter than the initial course and focuses on maintaining competency rather than learning from scratch.
Many employers book refresher training 6 months before expiry to ensure no gap in certification — particularly important as expiry during a job can prevent offshore mobilisation.
Where to Get GWO Training in the UK
GWO training is available at approved training centres across the UK. Concentrations of GWO-approved centres exist in:
- Aberdeen — serving the North Sea offshore wind sector
- Hull and Grimsby — serving the Humber offshore wind cluster
- Bristol and South Wales — serving the Bristol Channel wind farms
- East Anglia — serving the North Sea offshore wind developments
Search for approved centres at globalwindsafety.org which maintains a directory of accredited training providers.
FAQs
Is GWO the same as OPITO?
No. OPITO is the oil and gas industry training standard body. GWO is the wind industry equivalent. They are separate organisations with different training standards. BOSIET is an OPITO-accredited course. GWO BST is a GWO-accredited course.
How long does GWO BST take?
The full five-module course typically takes 4 to 5 days. Individual modules can be taken separately and combined over time to build the full qualification.
Do I need GWO if I already have BOSIET?
For most offshore wind work — yes. BOSIET demonstrates oil and gas safety competency. GWO demonstrates wind industry specific safety competency, particularly working at heights. Many offshore wind operators require both.
Always verify current training requirements with your employer before booking any course. Requirements vary by operator, role, and installation. marinesafetyguide.com does not provide training services and this article is for general guidance only.
