New technical possibilities for capturing wind energy have reinstalled the use of wind energy as energy resource within the European Community, as the increase from 17,315 MW in 2001 to 89,670 MW 2011 in EU-15 prove. It is a booming industry with expected job-increase of 250000 during the next decade. Thus there is a need for well educated engineers and technicians for installing, maintaining and planning off- and on-shore windmills. In many cases, employees need to update their technical knowledge on windmills, grid integration, construction, installation, maintenance, etc. Also managerial topics are relevant since wind energy professionals are working worldwide and need knowledge on legislation as well as cooperation, flexibility, adaptability and team spirit skills. Maintenance is carried out on-site often by small teams off-shore. Due to different development status of the mills and continuous technological innovation, vocational training and on-site advice via tele-systems complete qualification requirements. While basic knowledge can be gained in courses offered by universities and vocational training providers, the peculiarities of each windmill require experience and therefore accompanying qualification actions. The challenge is that the employee off-shore needs information on how to repair a part or how to handle a problem, eventually to ask a more experienced colleague without leaving. For this he need to get access to a system in which he find training materials and guidelines for problem solving without leaving his workplace. A suitable mobile system might also allow direct online communication with experts. A virtual training room with access to a knowledge base, a risk free training environment, e.g. serious games and to web2.0 applications for all employees could support the qualification of personnel independently of location. This article will discuss challenges and opportunities for virtual training environments to be used for staff qualification.
