AIS- Wind blade repair company joins forces with UK's largest energy trainer to deliver latest GWO standard
Posted on 19 March 2019
Advanced Blade Repair Services is joining forces with the UK’s largest energy training provider, AIS Training, part of the 3T Energy Group, to deliver the new Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standard in wind blade repair training.
Currently based in Sunderland, Advanced Blade Repair Services is one of only a handful of companies across the world to train wind technicians in how to maintain and repair wind blade assets.
From April, Advanced Blade Repair Services will be relocating to AIS Training’s state-of-the-art, 20-acre training village in North Tyneside in preparation for the new GWO blade repair training standard coming into force. AIS Training is the UK’s leading wind energy trainer and already accredited by GWO to deliver mandatory wind courses, as well as technical skills such as enhanced first aid, advanced hub rescue and more. Together, AIS Training and Advanced Blade Repair Services are planning to offer the new blade repair standard and are in advanced talks with GWO.
Advanced Blade Repair Services was set up 12 months ago by Sunderland-born, Jonathan Burgess, who has worked in the wind industry for more than ten years maintaining and repairing all elements of a wind turbine from the nacelle to the blades and tower. Jonathan was responsible for designing and setting up the UK’s very first blade repair training course three years ago and went on to start his own training operation in 2018.
Since its inception, Advanced Blade Repair Services has trained more than 100 delegates in wind blade repair with almost all of these going on to secure work within the wind industry.
Jonathan Burgess said: “We welcome this new GWO programme, which will help to standardise the current training of wind blade technicians and ultimately help to keep wind industry standards high.
“We are one of only a handful of training schools around the world offering wind blade repair training and are now looking forward to partnering with AIS Training to deliver GWO’s new standard. We will be moving to AIS Training’s world-class facilities, which include a Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, and courses will be delivered by our team of experienced instructors. These instructors have all worked in the wind industry as blade technicians, so understand the sector’s unique requirements and will be able to pass this knowledge on to delegates.”
Charlie Guthrie, group marketing manager of 3T Energy Group, which includes AIS Training, said: “Last year, AIS Training trained almost 6,000 wind delegates and is the UK’s number one. Adding Advanced Blade Repair Services to our extensive wind course portfolio will give our delegates even more choice and enable them to access all the courses they need in one location.
“According to a recent report, 4,500 technicians are currently employed in wind blade inspection services by the top 30 companies. However, as the wind industry ramps up and an increasing number of wind farms become operational more technicians will be needed. Our new partnership will help ensure wind companies have the skilled, competent workers they require in the future.”
To find out more about Advanced Blade Repair Services and the wide range of wide courses at AIS Training please visit www.training.aisgroup.co.uk or call 0844 800 1810.
