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

This Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Brownfields Job Training Program (CFDA 66.815) provides $500,000 in funding to the City of Rochester, New York to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents in environmental careers. The project will deliver a comprehensive curriculum covering hazardous waste operations, occupational safety, asbestos handling, and construction inspection, enabling graduates to earn up to 4 federal and state certifications. The goal is to help residents in impacted communities access jobs created by brownfield assessment, cleanup, and solid/hazardous waste site management, while addressing environmental justice concerns and fostering sustainable employment in the environmental field. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the city of rochester, new york to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the city of rochester 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. The city will provide a comprehensive, broad and interdisciplinary curriculum where graduates are certified in multiple disciplines of the environmental remediation industry allowing them to work in a broad range of jobs and increasing their value to employers. The required 40-hour hazardous waste operations and emergency response is included as is the 30-hour occupational safety and health administration health and safety and 10-hour occupational safety and health administration site safety; and health and safety issues are infused in all elements of training. These certs allow graduates to work on all remediation and construction sites. .activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. The training program includes 132 hours of instruction in 40-hour hazardous waste operations and emergency response, asbestos handler/ worker certification, air monitor/asbestos project monitor certification, occupational safety and health administration 10-hour construction site safety, and construction inspection. Students who complete the training will earn up to one state and three federal certifications.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to disadvantaged residents within the city of rochester, new york. The anticipated deliverables for are: 100/90/82 individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 10 classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 5 appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 90 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.