Universal Technical Institute, the transportation, skilled trades and energy education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. today announced that its MIAT College of Technology-Canton (Mich.), UTI-Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.), and UTI-Lisle (Ill.) campuses are the first in the United States to earn Certified Training Center status from the Global Wind Organisation (GWO). GWO’s Basic Safety Training certification is now embedded in the three campuses’ Wind Turbine Technician programs.
The certification was achieved as part of an agreement with 3t (previously 3t Energy Group) that was announced in 2023. GWO is a non-profit body founded by wind turbine manufacturers and owners that aims to achieve an injury-free work environment. The organization focuses on creating common international standards for safety training and emergency procedures.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for wind turbine technicians is growing much faster than the average for all occupations, with employment demand projected to grow 45% from 2022 to 20321.
“The certification of our MIAT-Canton, UTI-Rancho Cucamonga, and UTI-Lisle campuses demonstrates our team’s commitment to being a leader in wind energy training,” said UTI Division President Tracy Lorenz. “We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with 3t to achieve GWO training center certification at our other campuses.”
3t, previously 3t Energy Group until a recent re-brand, is a training and learning technology powerhouse for the global energy industry, working with GWO to develop industry-accredited training programs and facilities worldwide. 3t was instrumental to the project, helping design the GWO curriculum, evaluating the MIAT-Canton, UTI-Lisle and UTI-Rancho Cucamonga campuses, and training its instructors.
“Wind turbine maintenance is an in-demand, challenging job. It is important for technicians to have the proper occupational health and safety training to mitigate risks plus the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond in an emergency appropriately,” said Geoff Croft, global head of GWO training and development at 3t. “I’m thrilled to have partnered with UTI to help the Canton campus achieve GWO certification and put UTI on the path to becoming a leading provider of GWO and wind industry training courses across the U.S.”