This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the workforce development board of herkimer, madison, and oneida counties to conduct eligible…

This $500,000 Cooperative Agreement was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 1, 2024 under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements (CFDA 66.815) program. The funding will support the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Counties, a non-profit organization, to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of Utica, New York in environmental careers. Key activities include providing OSHA and EPA certifications in areas such as hazardous waste operations, lead renovation, and asbestos handling. The project aims to train 150 individuals, with at least 120 receiving HAZWOPER certification, and create a sustainable pipeline of workers to support regional environmental remediation efforts. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the workforce development board of herkimer, madison, and oneida counties to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by cercla 104(k)(7). The recipient will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of utica, new york in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in environmental awareness, OSHA confined space entry, OSHA lead in construction, EPA lead renovation, repair, and repairing, site safety training, and blood borne pathogens and infections. The program will improve community involvement and continue to create dialogue between employers addressing brownfields, unions performing cleanup work and the community impacted by brownfields and create a regional partnership that can provide a long-term sustainable pipeline of environmental workers to meet the evolving needs of regional employers.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 OSHA hazwoper, OSHA construction industry health and safety program, OSHA confined space, OSHA lead in construction, EPA lead renovation repair and repairing, site safety training, asbestos handler, mold remediation, and blood borne pathogens and infections. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres).subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to utica, new york as well as target groups of population entity is serving with this program. The anticipated deliverables for are: 150/120/90 of individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 180 hours of classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 5 federal/4STATE appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 120 of 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.