This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for pathstone corporation to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of…

This $500,000 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements (CFDA 66.815) program will provide funding for Pathstone Corporation, a Rochester, NY-based non-profit organization, to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of Puerto Rico in environmental careers. The core training program will include 80 hours of instruction in hazardous waste operations, emergency response, pesticide safety, OSHA 10, AED, CPR, and forklift training. Additional components will cover asbestos/lead abatement, mold remediation, disaster site response, and heavy vehicle operation with hazardous material certification. The project aims to train 110 students, with the goal of placing 80 graduates in environmental jobs, while addressing environmental justice concerns in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for pathstone corporation to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of puerto rico 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, emergency planning and chemical safety. Pathstone corporation is targeting students within caguas, guaynabo, gurabo, humacao, juncos, LAS piedras, and SAN juan, specifically underemployed and unemployed individuals. Pathstone facilitates effective interaction between employers and training providers to insure that graduates are desirable job candidates. Periodic meetings are coordinated to engage project partners all year round.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Pathstone corporation plans to train 110 students and place 80 graduates in environmental jobs. The core training program includes 80 hours of instruction in hazardous waste operations and emergency response training, pesticide safety, occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)10, AED, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and forklift training. Additional environmental job training components include asbestos and lead abatement, mold remediation, disaster site response, and heavy vehicle operation with hazardous material certification. Participants who complete the core training will earn six state or federal certifications, with opportunities to earn up to two additional state environmental job certifications.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:pathstone corporation is focused on supporting individuals with significant barriers to employment such as histories of court involvement, substance use disorder, homelessness, or low educational attainment. The anticipated deliverables for are: 120/110/80 of individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 8 classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 6 appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 110 individuals that receive certifications in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour hazwoper training. 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. -enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.