Altitec Academy, the rotor blade technician training program from Altitec, a leading wind-turbine blade repair and inspection specialist, has secured the blade repair certification from the Global Wind Organization (GWO) for its training centers in London and Cape Town. The certification also allows Altitec to conduct GWO training in Australia. Altitec Academy trains upwards of 150 new rotor blade technicians a year in their training centers around the world. The new certification builds on the successful assessment of the training program by DNV GL in 2018, and long-standing industry endorsement for the Altitec Academy.
Industry-wide accreditation for blade-repair training is needed to reassure job-seekers of a future in wind energy and encourage more people to consider blade-repair roles. As a provider of training and blade-repair services, Altitec has been a strong advocate of certification for a number of years. This independent and widely recognized qualification for blade repair from the GWO, together with high-quality training and a commitment to excellence by blade servicing teams, will help to reduce the skills gap in the industry while the demand for blade repair services continues to expand.
The GWO certification has benefits for both technicians and employers. The introduction of the certification will make it easier for technicians to work across multiple sites and contractors over their careers, while for employers, it will provide reassurance that the technicians they hire have the knowledge required to safely perform their jobs.
“Our rotor-blade technicians spend their careers learning,” said Tom Dyffort, managing director, Altitec Group. “As blade technology develops and wind farms are built in unusual locations, blade technicians have to evolve approaches to deal with new forms of wear, tear, and weathering of blades. Fundamental to this career-long learning process is a solid foundation of the processes and skills needed for blade repair. As a basis for that, we are pleased to be able to demonstrate we meet the GWO standards for blade repair in the Altitec Academy.”
More info www.altitec.co.uk
