Instructor Qualification Training: How do I become a GWO Instructor?

In order to become a GWO Instructor you must follow the requirements as outlined in Requirements for Training providers section 9 below:

Section 9 – Instructor Qualifications

9.1.1 Staffing and resources must follow national, regional and local legislation, applicable standards and regulation.

9.1.2 The instructor must have documented a minimum of 100 hours of vocational teaching experience prior to qualifying as GWO instructor

9.1.3 Instructors shall possess appropriate qualifications and experience to ensure that all training and supportive activities are carried out in accordance with current legislation e.g. First Aid Instructors need to be certified First Aid Instructors according to national legislation and/or recommended guidelines.

9.1.4 In order to qualify, the instructor shall receive appropriate instructor qualification training and shall participate in an ongoing competence program for the specific training module. The initial instructor training cycle must take place within a period of no more than 6 months.

The standard accepted approach to an appropriate instructor qualification training programme, will engage the trainee instructor in the following process in the applicable module before delivering the training independently:

“Participate -> Observe -> Co-deliver -> Deliver under observation”

Step 1 participate:

The trainee instructor must participate in the training as a course participant, must pass the training module and receive a training record in WINDA following successful completion of the training module.

Step 2 Observe:

The trainee instructor must observe a full and relevant training module being delivered by the lead instructor and only as an observer. The task is to observe the delivery of training by lead instructor, observe interaction between lead instructor and course participants and observe how participants engage with the material.

Step 3 co-deliver:

The trainee instructor must deliver parts of the training under supervision of the lead instructor. Prior to the training, the trainee instructor and the lead instructor must plan together which parts of the training is delivered by who. The focus is on ensuring that the trainee instructor become confident in delivering all parts of the training.

Step 4 Deliver under observation:

The trainee instructor must now independently deliver the full training module under observation by a lead instructor. The lead instructor must assess the training delivery where the trainee instructor must demonstrate:

1. a) the ability to train course participants according to different learning styles during theoretical, practical and group work sessions
2. b) the ability to correctly assess course participant knowledge, skill and attitude by applying the taxonomy levels and terminology stated in the standard
3. c) the ability to give constructive feedback and individual coaching
4. d) knowledge of the wind energy industry and key safety aspects
5. e) Familiarity of working conditions and layout of a wind turbine and the parts covered within the module taught
6. f) the ability to plan and deliver training in accordance with GWO training standards by adhering to the following requirements in the standards such as:

- training environment

- instructor to course participant ratio

- contact time for each course participant for all learning objectives and elements.

All 4 steps can be repeated one by one until lead instructor has assessed that the trainee instructor has completed each step satisfactorily.

Instructor qualification training programmes may take alternative approaches to the standard steps 1–3 described above, as long as the alternative programme includes at least the same amount of contact hours for familiarization with the material, and at least the same amount of practical teaching exercise hours. In the event of taking alternative approaches to the described steps 1-3, the instructor training programme shall always be completed by delivery under observation (assessment), as described in step 4 above, where the trainee instructor demonstrates instructor knowledge, skills and abilities as detailed in 9.1.5 below.

9.1.5 The instructor qualification training programme must achieve documented assurance that all instructors are able to independently deliver the full training module. This shall be verified through a training session under observation and assessment by a GWO experienced instructor or another person as detailed in 9.1.8. below, where each of the trainee instructors must as a minimum demonstrate:

1. knowledge of the wind energy industry and key safety aspects, especially as relevant for the target standard
2. familiarity of working conditions and layout of a wind turbine, especially as relevant for the parts covered within the target standard
3. the ability to plan and deliver training in accordance with the target standards by adhering to the following requirements in the standard such as:

• training environment and site setting (see above in 8.2)
• correct use of PPE
• safety during practical exercises
• instructor to course participant ratio, and contact time for each course participant for all learning objectives and elements
• covering all learning objectives at the correct taxonomy level
  1. the ability to train course participants according to different learning styles during theoretical, practical and group work sessions
  2. the ability to correctly assess individual course participant knowledge, skill and abilities by applying the GWO taxonomy levels and terminology stated in the target standard
  3. the ability to give constructive feedback and individual coaching towards achieving learning objectives.

9.1.6 In addition to the above process, training staff must be included in a documented on-going familiarization program consisting of either:

1) Visits to onshore and/or offshore WTGs (tower, nacelle, hub) prior to instructing GWO training modules, to enable them to maintain and update skills related to the GWO modules they instruct.

2) Alternative ways of ensuring familiarization with the wind turbine working environment and updated skills related to the GWO modules they instruct.

9.1.7 To maintain qualification, the instructor must deliver the course regularly. If more than 12 months passes without delivering the applicable training, the instructor must re-qualify according to the process above.

9.1.8 Through a documented process, the instructor’s competencies must, at least once every 12 months, be assessed by another GWO instructor while delivering at least 1 hour theory and at least 2 hours practical training.

9.1.9 The instructors must comply with the requirements and learning structures of the specific training standard and the GWO code of conduct available on globalwindsafety.org

In addition, please note, some GWO Standards require the instructor to have additional qualifications, please check the appropriate standard,

Please contact a GWO training provider in a location near you and discuss the option of the instructor completing the appropriate GWO modules and process outlined above.