This project provides funding for OAI, INC

This cooperative agreement award, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 under the Brownfields Job Training Program (CFDA 66.815), funds OAI, Inc., a non-profit workforce training organization, to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of Chicago's South and West Sides in environmental careers related to the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites. The $342,400 award supports delivering 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, OSHA safety certifications, and other environmental remediation skills to prepare participants for sustainable employment. The anticipated outcomes include training 50 individuals, placing 42 in environmental jobs, and developing 3 training curricula modules. This project aims to address environmental justice concerns by increasing access to green careers, reducing community exposures to hazardous substances, and promoting environmental health and occupational safety.

To recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the south and west sides of chicago, illinois in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct green remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites.activities:training courses include advanced 40-hour hazardous waste management and emergency response and occupational safety and health administration.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables are 62 individuals impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities recruited, 50 trained and certified, and 42 placed in environmental careers; three curricula modules; five federal or regional certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. Expected outcomes from this project include increased self-efficacy and greater access to sustainable environmental employment for residents in their communities while addressing environmental justice concerns. In addition, the project seeks to reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants, improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents, and enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.