First cohort of trainees graduates CCRI's GWO-certified Basic Safety Training program

04/11/2024

Thirty-nine local residents are the first to complete the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-certified Basic Safety Training curriculum at the state’s only offshore wind safety training center and are prepared to continue building fulfilling careers in America’s fast-growing offshore wind sector.

Located at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Lincoln Campus, the GWO-certified training facility is now available to all workers seeking a GWO training certificate, which provides them with the specialized safety credentials required for working offshore. The course takes 44 hours to complete, and certification is valid for two years. GWO training is a critical component in ensuring safe working conditions and practices in the industry. Upon completion of the course, graduates will obtain the practical skills needed to perform their job safely and be prepared for the rigors of offshore work.

Supported by a $500,000 grant from Ørsted and Eversource, this new center serves as the state's first and only GWO training certificate program – the international standard for offshore wind safety training. Workers enrolled in the program receive training in first aid, manual handling, fire awareness, working at heights, and sea survival. 

"The launch of our GWO training program signifies a significant investment in the safety and expertise of our workforce. CCRI is helping to shape the future of offshore wind industry in this nation, and our graduates are poised to lead the way," stated Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN, CCRI’s Interim President. 

CCRI is accepting applications for future cohorts. To learn more, visit ccri.edu/gwo. 

"Today's graduates are tomorrow's wind leaders,” said Patricia DiOrio, SVP, Head of Offshore Project Development, Americas, Ørsted. “From first aid to fire awareness, to training at heights and more, CCRI's GWO program is ensuring that Rhode Islanders building Revolution Wind and other projects in the region can receive world-class safety training right in their own backyard. We look forward to welcoming these and future graduates to the Ørsted team."

"Congratulations to all the graduates! GWO training is the gold standard in offshore wind safety, and we know the skills and experience each trainee gained here will be invaluable as they pursue careers in this growing industry,” said Julia Bovey, Director of External Affairs, Offshore Wind, Eversource. “We’re grateful to work with our partners at CCRI, state agencies and labor to provide this opportunity." 

"The establishment of this new facility marks an exciting opportunity for Rhode Islanders to obtain the necessary certifications within our own state, enabling them to actively contribute to the offshore wind industry in Rhode Island,” added Michael F. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers International Union of North America and President of Rhode Island's Building & Construction Trades Council. "As we celebrate the graduation of our first cohorts from the Offshore Wind Safety Training Center, we witness the tangible impact of investing in our workforce's safety and expertise. These graduates represent the skilled labor force essential to realizing the potential of projects like Revolution Wind. Together, we're not just building infrastructure; we're building a brighter tomorrow for Rhode Island and beyond." 

"This milestone signifies a bold step forward for Rhode Island's renewable energy sector and underscores our commitment to safety and innovation. Congratulations to the first cohort of graduates. We celebrate your achievement and thank you for laying the foundation for future participants to successfully complete this course," said Department of Labor & Training Director Matt Director Weldon.

“As the development of offshore wind projects accelerates across the region, Rhode Islanders will be ready to support these economic engines of the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “Trainings and certificates such as these, help equip those entering the workforce with the necessary expertise and education they need to thrive in this growing industry, while also enhancing their earning potential.”

“Offshore wind is here now – in fact, construction of offshore wind farms is only increasing,” said Andrew Cortés, President & CEO of Building Futures. “In partnership with CCRI, state leadership, building trades unions and Ørsted, this new GWO training center at the Lincoln campus ensures that Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to safely construct our clean energy future.”

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