August 2023 - Safety Technology USA

GWO Training in Abilene

GWO Training in Abilene from STL USA

GWO Training in Abilene includes a complete range of courses delivered by highly experienced trainers

GWO Training in Abilene has been delivered by STL USA for a number of years. The STL USA headquarters includes both indoor and outdoor training facilities designed to simulate a turbine environment where appropriate.

But that’s probably only half the story, STL USA has been delivering GWO training in Texas from multiple locations and has been instrumental in helping develop sites for customers over the years.

In recent years, the global shift towards renewable energy sources has led to a rapid expansion of the wind energy sector. As wind farms continue to dot the landscapes, ensuring the safety of the workforce that maintains and operates these structures becomes paramount. One crucial aspect of this effort is the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training, which plays a pivotal role in enhancing safety and skills within the wind energy industry. Abilene, Texas, emerges as a significant hub for GWO training, offering specialized programs that equip workers with the expertise to tackle the unique challenges posed by wind energy installations.

GWO training programs are designed to address the specific needs of the wind energy sector. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness, first aid, and more. As wind turbines continue to grow taller and more complex, the risks associated with maintaining and servicing them also increase. GWO training ensures that workers are well-versed in the latest safety protocols, operational techniques, and emergency procedures. This training not only safeguards the workforce but also contributes to the efficiency and reliability of wind energy operations.

Abilene, Texas, with its strategic location and strong commitment to renewable energy, has emerged as a prominent center for GWO training. The city’s wind energy landscape, characterized by expansive wind farms, makes it an ideal location for practical training scenarios. The local training centers in Abilene provide state-of-the-art facilities that simulate real-life conditions, enabling trainees to develop hands-on skills in a controlled environment. This practical approach to training instills confidence in workers, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle the challenges posed by their jobs.

Moreover, GWO training in Abilene goes beyond technical skills. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and leadership within the wind energy sector. Workers are trained to collaborate effectively, which is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of wind farms. This holistic approach to training not only improves the safety record but also contributes to a positive work culture within the industry.

As the wind energy sector continues to grow, the demand for skilled and certified workers also increases. GWO training in Abilene opens up opportunities for individuals seeking a career in the renewable energy industry. The training programs are designed to cater to both newcomers and experienced professionals, ensuring that everyone receives the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their roles. This not only supports workforce development but also contributes to the economic growth of the region.

GWO training in Abilene, Texas, stands as a testament to the wind energy industry’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability. As the world moves towards a greener future, the role of wind energy becomes more significant, and so does the need for a skilled workforce that can operate and maintain wind turbines safely and effectively. Abilene’s focus on GWO training aligns perfectly with these goals, providing a platform for individuals to acquire the expertise needed to thrive in the dynamic and vital field of wind energy. Through comprehensive training programs, practical experience, and a dedication to excellence, STL USA’s Abilene GWO training center contributes to a safer, more efficient, and more promising renewable energy landscape.

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 in 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

Personal Rescue device for Wind technicians

No fuss personal rescue for high pressure scenarios

Few scenarios are more stressful and pressurized than having to evacuate from a wind turbine due to injury or the risk of injury. Wind technicians receive a huge amount of training and have a number of devices at their disposal to ensure they can get out when the pressure is on and there is a real risk to life and limb.

There tend to be 2 kinds of devices favored by technician teams, single-use, personal rescue devices, and rescue systems. We’re big fans of both, but especially equipment that takes into account the situations when they are likely to be used.

Complicated is not your friend

The Wind Escape personal rescue has been designed as a no-fuss, easy-to-use rescue device with an anti-panic function. Why? because complicated is not your friend in a real rescue or evacuation scenario. The key is the high-pressure scenario, which affects our ability to perform tasks we are otherwise skilled at. Think of a kicker missing a high-pressure kick in a football game. In practice, they likely hit almost all their kicks so why miss something they should be able to do with ease – pressure?

This is no different from a high-pressure situation in a wind turbine. Skills we thought we had down can sometimes disappear, we panic and that’s why we believe the Wind Escape has the edge put simply it’s designed with this in mind.

Key features

Minimum use temperature of -30°C.
– It incorporates a 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.

Learn more

Get in touch with a member of our knowledgeable team and find out how you can get the best training and save money along the way.

GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation

New GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation courses from STL USA

As many of you will be aware there has been quite a major change to the GWO Basic Technical Training in the v8 release this May. This has seen the addition of the GWO BTT Bolt Tightening module which sits alongside the core modules of Electrical, Hydraulic, and Mechanical forming a 4 module standard BTT course.

STL USA has added GWO BTT Bolt Tightening & GWO BTT Installation to our course portfolio enabling us to offer a combination of BTT modules dependent on customer needs.

To date, STL USA is still the only US-based training provider to offer GWO BTT Bolt Tightening

GWO Entry-level framework shakes things up

Take up of the GWO Entry-Level Framework continues at pace with many of STL USA’s customers adopting the guidelines for training requirements for new and existing technicians.

Alongside ACP’s micro-credentials these frameworks represent a further standardisation of skills across the industry which brings clarity and improves performance levels. STL USA is a big supporter of these initiatives as they will be vital to ensure that the fast-growing workforce has the skills required to keep the entire wind industry moving in the right direction.

Get ahead of the game with STL USA

Many of the leading OEMs and site owners are pushing hard for GWO adoption across their supply chains with tight deadlines to ensure technicians have all the required certificates. STL USA is well placed to train across the entire range of courses from our world-leading training center in Abilene, Texas, and at client locations across the country.

Learn more

Get in touch with a member of our knowledgeable team and find out how you can get the best training and save money along the way.

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, 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 using our 3s lift set-up.

State of the art equipment for BTT Mechanical and Bolt Tightening

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.