Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants

Posted by on January 10, 2011

The long-awaited Request for Proposals for the “FY 2011 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants,” formerly referred to as the “Brownfields Job Training Grants,” has been posted live and the link is listed below.  The deadline for submission of proposals is March 18, 2011.

The award amount has increased to a maximum of $300,000.

http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oblr-11-01.pdf

We encourage you to consider applying if unemployment or under-employment is a concern in your community or area.

The Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants Program, formerly known as the “Brownfields Job Training Grants Program,” will now allow applicants to propose and deliver additional hazardous and solid waste training.  Under the Fiscal Year 2011 Request for Proposals (RFP), funding will be provided to support environmental training related to Federal Facilities and Superfund site-specific cleanup, recycling center operator training, construction and demolition debris recycling, first responder, site preparation for solar and renewable energy, leaking underground storage tank removal, green and innovative remediation technologies, and other environmental certifications and skills.  Promoting workforce development and job training is also an action in the Community Engagement Initiative.

The Job Training Program was built upon the idea of providing training and placement opportunities to unemployed residents of communities historically impacted by hazardous and solid waste sites in an effort to further environmental justice.  The program benefits communities in a way where they can design customer-based training based on the hiring needs of employers in their communities.  We have been working in collaboration with DOL, DOE, HUD, DOT, NIEHS, and other Federal Agencies on green jobs initiatives to ensure coordination, not duplication of our efforts.

Important Note:  It is anticipated that 13-14 grants will be awarded nationally.  It is expected to be very competitive.  This should not discourage you from considering this opportunity.  Instead, it should encourage you to think regionally, cooperatively, and strategically.  The goal is jobs, jobs, jobs!  Thus, there must be sufficient viable recruits for training, a strong effective and relevant training curriculum and provider, and it must occur where the trainees can access to jobs successfully and reliably.  AND there MUST BE JOBS for placement at the culmination!  There can be no weak links in your plan if you wish to succeed!

To assure jobs, applicants must integrate their program with the needs and plans of employers, developers, and government entities funding projects.

http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oblr-11-01.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jeff Barnett
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Branch (3HS51)
EPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia PA 19103
215-814-3246
Barnett.Jeff@epa.gov