GWO and SPRAT Certified Wind Turbine Safety & Rope Access Training in Amarillo, Texas
Training since 2015 and located in Amarillo, Texas, Optimum Academy is a certified full-service wind energy and rope access training facility. Optimum Academy specializes in training that is certified by the Global Wind Organization (GWO) Wind Turbine Safety Training. They offer the full suite of GWO training and also offer Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) Training for techs wanting to begin or further their careers in rope access.
The training facility is conveniently located in the heart of the most saturated wind energy region in the country, and a direct flight away from multiple cities. With nearly 100 years of combined expertise on the Optimum team, they successfully trained over 4,000 technicians and worked on 100+ wind farms across the country.
Optimum offers three levels of courses to interested rope access technicians who use rope access as the primary means of accessing their worksite. The Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) is a North American trade organization that publishes consensus standards and certifies workers to three separate standards.
Wind Tech U, the newest division of Optimum Academy, is a first-of-its-kind program designed to provide a quality pipeline of technicians to wind energy service providers. They recruit, train, and place techs with companies.
Training Programs
GWO Training
- GWO Basic Safety Combined (GWO BST): This 3.5-day course is a complete introduction to all the core skills needed to work safely as a wind technician, combining the 4 GWO modules: Working at Height with Manual Handling, Fire Awareness, and First Aid.
- GWO Advanced Rescue Training (GWO-ART): 3 days of GWO Training include Nacelle, Tower and Basement Rescue, Hub, Spinner, and Inside Blade rescue. These modules teach casualty rescue operations in a turbine using industry-standard rescue equipment, rescue methods, and techniques. Combined with Confined Spaces, technicians will be fully prepared to enter and rescue out of permit spaces. This course includes a Confined Space Entry & Rescue Certification.
- GWO Basic Technical Training (GWO-BTT): This 4-day GWO course will get Students ready to work as Technicians. Three modules, including Mechanical, Electrical, and Hydraulic, provide hands-on skills throughout the curriculum.
- GWO ART Single Rescuer: This 1 Day class engages students in the skills from both ART modules but performing them as a single rescuer. Students will gain beneficial problem-solving skills.
- GWO BST Refresher: This 2-day Refresher class covers the entire BST curriculum and meeting the GWO Standard. Students will have the opportunity to go through Working at Height, Fire Awareness and First Aid with new perspective from working in the field.
- GWO ART Refresher: The ART 3 Day Refresher covers Nacelle, Tower, Basement and Hub, Spinner, Blade Rescues. Optimum adds Confined Space Entry & Rescue Refresher to a fill ART program and Refresher to be sure students and employers meet OSHA requirements for working in Permit Spaces.
- Confined Space Entry & Rescue: This 1-day training focuses on the challenges of confined spaces within wind turbines. Proper confined space permits and documentation will be addressed, along with skills, tools, and rescue devices needed to perform entry and rescue at multiple locations classified as confined spaces. Classroom and practical learning methods will both be used.
- Basic Plus Medic/First Aid
Rope Access Courses
- SPRAT Level I Technician: An individual who performs rope access work. A Level I Technician may only work under the direct, on-site supervision of a Rope Access Lead Technician or Supervisor.
- SPRAT: Level II Technician: An individual who is responsible for physically conducting rope access operations and/or safety evaluations of rope access operations, including maintenance of associated access equipment and performs all Rope Access Lead Technician duties as assigned in the employer’s rope access work program
- SPRAT Level III Technician: An individual who is responsible for the overall rope access work site and performs all Rope Access Supervisor duties as assigned in the employer’s rope access work program.
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2023