This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $500,000

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 awarded a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement to the City of Richmond, California under the Brownfields Job Training Program (CFDA 66.815). The award will fund the RichmondBuild Brownfields Job Training Partnership to provide skills training and job placement services to unemployed and underemployed residents in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites.

Specifically, over the five year period from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2028, the Partnership will conduct eight training cycles of approximately three hundred and fifty-two hours each. Each cycle will serve fifteen to twenty participants, providing them with certifications in hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), refinery safety (OSCA), OSHA 10 health and safety standards, and confined space entry. The training is expected to place over one hundred and thirteen individuals in environmental remediation careers through developing skills in innovative technologies, stormwater management, and emergency response applicable to brownfields assessment and cleanup.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for richmondbuild brownfields job training partnership (rbbjtp) to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of richmond, california 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. The project will operate eight training cycles of 352 hours in length during years one through four of the grant period, with 15-20 participants in each cycle. Two cohorts will complete a training cycle in each of these years during which they will gain helpful skills and certifications. Participants will also participate in 12 months of job placement activities, follow-up services, refresher training, and program evaluation following their completion of the training cycle.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed under this project are hazwoper training and certification, training in innovative and alternative technologies, osca certification (refinery safety), OSHA 10, and confined space certification.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to richmond, california and the surrounding communities. The anticipated deliverables for are: up to 113 of individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. Multitude of hours spent withing classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. Multiple (5+) of appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. Up to 113 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. -participants will be able to earn certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup: hazwoper certification, osca certification (refinery safety), OSHA 10, and confined space certification. -certification in occupational health and safety (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour hazardous waste operations and emergency response standard (hazwoper) training for all participants. -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.