GWO standard updates 2026
August 2026
Ian Noble
Learning & Development Manager - Renewables
Anders Hastrup Christensen
Global Head of Marketing
Updated 12 August 2026 − This article replaces our previous GWO update published 9 July 2026.
Understanding the GWO Standard Updates
New GWO training standards will bring significant changes for wind technicians and employers. Maersk Training is helping organisations prepare for the transition and make informed decisions before the grace period ends on 10 September 2026.
Download our quick guide to the GWO Standard Changes 2026 and what you need to know.
As part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining high-quality, industry-relevant training, the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) has introduced updates to eight training standards across its wind energy portfolio. These changes are designed to better reflect industry practices, improve flexibility in training delivery and strengthen the learner experience through more practical, scenario-based training.
While many of the updates will provide long-term benefits for both technicians and employers, they also introduce important changes that could affect training schedules, certification maintenance and workforce planning. Organisations should therefore take time now to understand the implications before the grace period concludes on 10 September 2026.
What wind industry professionals and employers should be aware of
The changes span a number of core GWO qualifications relied upon by technicians, contractors and asset owners throughout the global wind industry, including Basic Safety Training (BST), Advanced Rescue Training (ART), Basic Technical Training (BTT), Control of Hazardous Energies (CoHE), and Instructor Qualification Training (IQT).
Of particular importance are changes to Basic Safety Training and Advanced Rescue Training:
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Advanced Rescue Training Refresher (ART-R) will no longer automatically renew Working at Height (WaH) and Manual Handling (MH) training records after the grace period ends on 10 September 2026.
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Single Rescuer training will be integrated into Advanced Rescue Training and will no longer exist as a standalone module.
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Combined Working at Height and Manual Handling training within BST has been discontinued, meaning delegates will need to complete these modules separately going forward.
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All BST refresher training will adopt a more practical, scenario-based approach and must be delivered independently from initial training. Refresher delegates will no longer be able to attend initial courses as a means of renewal.
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A new Walk-to-Work lesson has been introduced within Sea Survival training to better reflect offshore transfer operations increasingly seen across the industry.
For technicians and employers, these changes create new opportunities for targeted and relevant learning, but they also place greater importance on forward planning to avoid unnecessary training duplication, operational disruption and additional costs.
How this applies to you
For many currently active technicians, the most significant consideration is the transition period ending on 10 September 2026.
Individuals who complete their Advanced Rescue Training Refresher before this date will continue to benefit from the existing renewal arrangements, allowing their Working at Height and Manual Handling records to be renewed through ART-R. After this point, those records will need to be maintained independently through separate training modules.
For workforce planners, site managers and training coordinators, this means there is a valuable opportunity during the grace period to optimise training schedules and minimise future training burdens. Failure to plan ahead could result in additional training days, increased travel and accommodation costs, and reduced workforce availability.
The updates also create a more structured learning pathway for new entrants entering the wind industry, with revised training standards that better reflect current operational practices, technological developments and workplace scenarios encountered both onshore and offshore.
How Maersk Training can support you
At Maersk Training, we are fully prepared to support customers through the transition to the updated GWO standards and help organisations build efficient, compliant and future-ready training plans.
Our renewable energy training portfolio includes:
Basic Safety Training (BST) - Delivering all GWO BST modules in line with the latest requirements, including:
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Working at Height
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Manual Handling
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First Aid
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Fire Awareness
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Sea Survival
Our Classroom and Blended eLearning options are designed to help organisations maintain compliance while preparing delegates for the updated scenario-based refresher requirements and new Walk-to-Work learning outcomes.
Advanced Rescue Training (ART) - We deliver Advanced Rescue Training programmes covering:
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Hub, Spinner and Inside Blade Rescue
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Nacelle, Tower and Basement Rescue
Our instructors are ready to support the implementation of the updated ART standard, including the integration of Single Rescuer competencies and revised rescue methodologies.
Basic Technical Training (BTT) - The updated BTT framework includes additional Control of Hazardous Energies modules, as well as offering increased flexibility through separate Mechanical and Electrical Installation modules, allowing organisations to align training more closely with specific job roles while maintaining the option for combined delivery.
Additional GWO programmes
Maersk Training also supports customers with training solutions across:
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Control of Hazardous Energies (CoHE) (coming soon)
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Crane & Hoist Basic User (coming soon)
Industry insight
“The latest GWO revisions recognise how much the renewable energy sector has developed over recent years and ensure that training continues to reflect the realities technicians face every day. Many of the updates strengthen the connection between training and operational performance, helping delegates apply what they learn more effectively in the workplace,” shares Ian Noble, Learning & Development Manager – Renewables for Maersk Training.
He adds: “What is particularly important now is that organisations understand the practical implications of these changes and use the grace period to make informed decisions about future training requirements. By planning ahead, employers can help minimise future costs, reduce disruption and ensure their technicians remain compliant and ready for work.”
Our approach
As the renewable energy industry continues to expand, effective training remains critical to maintaining safety, competence and operational performance.
At Maersk Training, we remain committed to delivering practical, high-quality learning experiences that help individuals and organisations meet regulatory requirements, improve operational performance and maintain the highest standards of safety.
Through our global network of training centres, experienced instructors and close engagement with industry developments, we help customers respond confidently to changing training requirements while supporting long-term workforce capability.
For further information about how these changes may impact your workforce, or to discuss upcoming training requirements, please contact esbjerg@maersktraining.com (Denmark), uk-bookings@maersktraining.com (UK), or your local Maersk Training representative.
Download our quick guide to the GWO Standard Changes 2026 and what you need to know.
Book your GWO training with Maersk Training.