This project provides funding for kern county builders exchange to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of kern, fresno, SAN luis obispo, and tulare counties in…

This $500,000 Cooperative Agreement award, granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.815), provides funding to Kern County Builders Exchange Inc., a non-profit organization, to recruit, train, and place up to 270 unemployed and underemployed residents of Kern, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare Counties in California in environmental careers. The project will deliver HAZWOPER-40 training and other optional environmental remediation courses, enabling participants to obtain industry-recognized certifications and secure living wage positions in the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites. The award period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029, with the goal of graduating 299 students and placing 270 individuals in environmental jobs.

This project provides funding for kern county builders exchange to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of kern, fresno, SAN luis obispo, and tulare counties in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in hazwoper-40 and other optional training courses to support careers in environmental remediation of petroleum sites. Kern county builders exchange will enroll 360 trainees into the program, graduate 299 students from the program, and place 270 graduates in environmental positions earning living wages. This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act for kern county builders exchange to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by cercla 104(k)(7). This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $500,000.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed during this project are hazwoper-40 training along with several optional trainings, tailored to the needs of each training cohort. Optional trainings include oil and gas remediation processes, rcra hazardous waste management, lead and asbestos, and many more. 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 unemployed and underemployed residents of kern, fresno, SAN luis obispo, and tulare counties, focusing on economically underserved, minorities, veterans, and at-risk young adults. The anticipated deliverables are: 270 individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. One through ten plus classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. Up to six federally recognized appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 299 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.