U.S. EPA Works To Boost the Environmental Workforce

July 30, 2013

Achievements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded 16 entities a total of $3.2 million through its Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program to help improve the environment while lowering the unemployment rate. Local programs working to train and place unemployed individuals in jobs that address environmental challenges in their communities received the grants, according to an EPA news release.

Grants help provide individuals with training for a range of skills and certifications that lead to long-term, full-time careers in environmental fields, including wastewater treatment. As of May 2013, more than 11,000 people had received training, and more than 8000 had obtained employment through entities supported by the program, the news release says.

According to the news release, recipients of the 2013 grants and their intended activities include the following:

  • The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (Waterbury, Conn.) will train 42 students and place 40 graduates.
  • The Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board (Lawrence, Mass.) will train 45 students and place 31 graduates.
  • Fortune Society Inc. (New York) will train 45 students and place 33 graduates.
  • Pathways–VA Inc. (Petersburg, Va.) will train 40 students and place 32 graduates.
  • Florida State College (Jacksonville) will train 60 students and place 45 graduates.
  • OAI Inc. (Chicago) will train 45 students and place 40 graduates.
  • EmployIndy (Indianapolis) will train 48 students and place at least 36 graduates.
  • Mott Community College (Flint, Mich.) will train 51 students and place 36 graduates.
  • Southern University at Shreveport, La., will train 60 students and place 55 graduates.
  • Rose State College (Midwest City, Okla.) will train 95 students and place 70 graduates.
  • St. Louis Community College will train 81 students and place 55 graduates.
  • Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff) will train 36 students and place 35 graduates.
  • The City of Oxnard, Calif., will train 55 students and place 45 graduates.
  • The City of Richmond, Calif., will train 60 students and place 45 graduates.
  • Zender Environmental Health and Research Group (Anchorage, Alaska) will train 32 students and place 28 graduates.
  • The City of Tacoma, Wash., will train 54 students and place 39 graduates.

— Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights

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