// IN SHORT

In short: GWO BST, ART, Enhanced First Aid and Control of Hazardous Energy certificates are valid for 24 months and need a refresher before they expire (in Germany, Working at Heights every 12 months). BTT, Slinger Signaller, Lift and Crane & Hoist have no expiry. Courses range from about 3 hours (Fire Awareness) to 21 hours (Enhanced First Aid). Full details are in the tables below.

Bookmark it, and check it before you book your next training or apply for a job.

How to Read the Tables

  • Course length is the official minimum training time in hours set by GWO. Training centres turn this into days, so a 7–8 hour module is usually one training day.
  • Valid for is how long your certificate stays valid in WINDA.
  • Refresher is the shorter course you take before the certificate expires to keep it valid.

"No expiry" means the certificate stays valid for life once you have it.

Basic Safety Training (BST)

Your entry ticket to any wind farm. Onshore you need the first four modules; offshore you also need Sea Survival.

Module Course length Valid for Refresher
First Aid 7 h 24 months 4 h
Manual Handling 3 h 35 min 24 months 3 h 35 min
Fire Awareness 3 h 20 min 24 months 3 h 20 min
Working at Heights 13 h 25 min 24 months 8 h
Sea Survival (offshore) 8 h 24 months 8 h
Working at Heights + Manual Handling (combined) 14 h 50 min 24 months 6 h 30 min

⚠️ Germany: Working at Heights must be refreshed every 12 months. Local rules can be stricter than GWO, so always check the country where you'll work.

Basic Technical Training (BTT)

The basics of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic work in a turbine, done under supervision.

Module Course length Valid for
Mechanical 8 h 40 min No expiry
Electrical 9 h 55 min No expiry
Hydraulic 8 h 55 min No expiry
Bolt Tightening 8 h No expiry
Installation 17 h 40 min No expiry

Order matters: Bolt Tightening requires BTT Mechanical first. Installation requires BTT Mechanical and Bolt Tightening first.

Advanced Rescue Training (ART)

Rescue of an injured colleague from the hub, spinner, blade, nacelle, tower and basement. ART is now made up of two modules, often booked together as ART Combined.

Module Course length Valid for Refresher
Hub, Spinner and Inside Blade Rescue 7 h 24 months As part of the ART refresher
Nacelle, Tower and Basement Rescue 14 h 24 months 14 h

Before ART you need valid BST Working at Heights, Manual Handling and First Aid certificates.

Control of Hazardous Energy (CoHE)

Safe work around electricity, pressurised fluids and other stored energy. It prepares you for your employer's own authorisation training.

Module Course length Valid for Refresher
Basic Safety 4 h 24 months 1 h 10 min
Electrical Safety 10 h 45 min 24 months 4 h
Pressure Fluid Safety 7 h 24 months 2 h 20 min

Enhanced First Aid (EFA)

Ongoing care for an injured person at remote sites while waiting for professional help.

Course Course length Valid for Refresher
Enhanced First Aid 21 h 24 months 14 h

Slinger Signaller

For anyone taking part in crane lifts as a rigger or signalperson.

Course Course length Valid for
Slinger Signaller 13 h 40 min No expiry

Lift

Using, inspecting and maintaining the service lift inside the turbine.

Module Course length Valid for
Lift User 4 h No expiry
Lift Commission and Inspection 7 h No expiry
Lift Commission, Inspection, Installation and Maintenance 14 h No expiry

Crane and Hoist

Operating and maintaining the small fixed cranes and hoists used in turbines (up to 8 tonne-metres).

Module Course length Valid for
Basic User 13 h No expiry
Installation and Maintenance 12 h 30 min No expiry

Three Rules to Remember

  1. Register your WINDA ID before your first course. No WINDA ID, no GWO training. You also need to be medically fit to take full part.
  2. Book your refresher before the certificate expires. If it runs out, most centres will ask you to take the full course again, which costs more time and money.
  3. "No expiry" doesn't mean "never ask again." Some employers still prefer recent training, especially for older BTT certificates. Keep your skills fresh.

Read Next

Source: GWO Entry Level Wind Technician Framework, Version 3 (December 2023), Annex 2, updated with the current ART module structure. GWO updates its standards regularly, so check the GWO website for the latest durations and validity periods.