Finland’s first public vocational school now offers mandatory wind turbine safety training

Kainuu Vocational College (KAO) has become the first public educational institution in Finland authorised to provide the internationally required safety certification for wind turbine technicians, the school announced. Previously, such training was only available through private providers in three locations nationwide.

The four-day Global Wind Organisation Basic Safety Training (GWO-BST) course covers high-altitude work safety, emergency rope descent from nacelles, colleague rescue techniques, first aid, fire safety, and load handling. Certification remains valid for two years and is mandatory for all technicians working on wind turbines.

“This opens entirely new career paths for students,” said Lasse Hyvönen, KAO’s chief instructor. “From their first year, they can now specialise in wind power technology.” The school’s training environment—a modified gymnasium corner with ladders and an 8.5-metre platform—simulates nacelle evacuations through a hatch matching real turbine dimensions.

Technicians must also pass a physical fitness test, including endurance cycling, strength exercises, balance checks, and flexibility drills. “Basic fitness is enough,” assured Anssi Sirviö, one of KAO’s three licensed GWO-BST instructors and a physical education teacher. Custom training plans are available for those needing improvement.

The initiative follows nearly four years of collaboration with wind energy firms and two separate projects addressing industry demand. “Companies, especially in smaller towns, struggle to find qualified technicians,” noted Ville Loukusa, KAO’s planning teacher and safety instructor. Finland currently has around 2,000 wind turbines, primarily using Vestaksen or Nordex models.

Initially, the training will be offered as an elective within electrical and automation programmes, with the first students beginning practical exercises in April. Instructors anticipate expanding access beyond the school in future.