This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) (also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL)) for the energy coordinating agency of…

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) (also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL)) for the energy coordinating agency of philadelphia to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of philadelphia, PA who reside in disadvantaged communities, as defined by the justice 40 initiative, in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in soil sampling, bioremediation, storm water management, solar PV installation, and EPA RRP lead. When trainees complete the program, a job placement specialist will help them connect with good companies that have open positions. ECA has extensive experience training and working with disadvantaged, minority populations, from returning citizens to veterans pursuing technical skills they can build a career on.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. All trainees in the program will complete all 6 courses in cohorts of 15 students over a ten-week period. When trainees complete the program, a job placement specialist will help them connect with ECA's employer partners and other companies who will interview them for open positions. Trainees who successfully complete the program will receive the following credentials: OSHA hazwoper, the north american board of certified energy practitionersreg; (nabcepreg;) PV installation professional (pvip), and EPA's lead renovation, repair and painting (EPA-RRP), as well as ECA certifications for soil sampling and bioremediation. One of the eight cohorts will be from aspira, INC. These will be high school students who will complete the training during their senior year so they will graduate with their diploma as well as the three national credentials. Two other cohorts will be selected in partnership with beyond literacy, the largest literacy agency in philadelphia. Belit helps learners improve their reading, writing, math, english language, digital literacy, and workplace skills.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables for the project are 240 individuals recruited and 120 enrolled in the training program. IT is anticipated that 90% will complete training program, 88% will be placed in jobs, 78% will be retained in jobs after 6 months, and 80% will pursue further education. Expected outcomes from this project include: helping 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, providing training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field, improving community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships, reducing exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents, fostering self-sufficiency and enhancing the skills and availability of labor for environmental remediation in environmental justice and other communities impacted by environmental contamination, and enabling residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.