This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58)

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement to The Sustainable Workplace Alliance, Inc. under the Brownfields Job Training Program (CFDA 66.815) to deliver hazardous waste remediation training and environmental career placement services in Kissimmee, Florida from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2028. Specifically, the Alliance will provide HAZWOPER certification and other safety training courses to 120 unemployed and underemployed residents, with the goal of placing 72 trainees in environmental jobs handling solid and hazardous waste site remediation. Training topics will include health and safety procedures, waste sampling techniques, and regulatory compliance. The award aims to recruit and develop a skilled local workforce to support environmental cleanup activities while addressing environmental justice concerns in contaminated communities. No subawards are included under this Cooperative Agreement.

This action approves an award in the amount of $500,000 to support the sustainable workplace alliance to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the city of kissimmee in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in green remediation technologies, storm water management, emergency planning and chemical safety. Students who complete the training will earn up to one state and five federal certifications. Activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed during under this project are hazwoper, introduction to EPA and environmental justice, OSHA 10 hour (construction), powered industrial truck (forklift), water sampling, first aid, CPR, and bloodborne pathogens, hazmat labeling and shipping, EPA renovation, repair, and painting, commercial drivers license permit, and asbestos abatement worker.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to the city of kissimmee unemployed population. The anticipated deliverables for are: 120 individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities;72 of classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules and six appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. Expected outcomes from this project include: help residents of communities take advantage of jobs created by the assessment and cleanup of brownfields and the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities while addressing environmental justice concerns; provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field; improve community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships; reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents; foster self-sufficiency and enhance the skills and availability of labor for environmental remediation in environmental justice and other communities impacted by environmental contamination and enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.