Reminders, Grants & Training Funding

Greetings;

First, a last minute reminder that we’ll be presenting the Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Certification next week in Buffalo, the Lead Renovator Certification next Tuesday (11/15/11) in Brooklyn and the Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher next Thursday (11/17/11) in Rochester. That Brooklyn Renovator course is our $99.00 special, btw… Call 888 436 8338 to register now.

Now, here’s a couple heads-ups on pending grant opportunities.

1. The State Hazard Abatement Board (HAB) awards grants for programs that
provide occupational safety and health training for public and private employers, labor
organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and trade associations.
Eligible programs must train and educate workers, supervisors and/or employers and
must promote workplace accident and injury prevention.

EEA has worked with construction, manufacturing and service employers, trade organizations and industry groups to provide OSHA 10 & 30 hour, 40 hour HazMat and asbestos training with HAB funding and supports existing HAB programs across the State.

This is a great way to provide new staff with training and round out qualifications for existing personnel.

Employers and other interested parties looking for help with EH&S training should contact us soon, especially if unfamiliar with the HAB program. Applications are typically due in January.

2. EPA also makes training funding available through their
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program. EPA’s Brownfields Program
provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, and
environmental job training, including community-based workforce development
programs. EEA currently works with Mohawk Valley Community College to provide
asbestos, lead and safety certification for individuals preparing for careers in
environmental remediation.

EEA works with applicants and prospective employers to demonstrate a need, and then will network employers to prospective employees once the program is underway.

This is a fantastic chance for employers, particularly contractors, to access qualified new hires.

The FY 2012 Assessment & Cleanup grant announcements have already been released. We’re told that the notice of funding opportunity (NOFA) for Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training will be out in late November.

3. EEA is also working with the Community Foundation for Buffalo (CFGB) and the
National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) to develop a comprehensive training
program for jobs created under the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI).
CFGB will be coordinating weatherization, energy efficiency and healthy home
improvements to over 200 homes in Buffalo.

This is a great jump start to the State’s Green Jobs/Green New York program. NYS Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) is spearheading an effort to improve “middle income” housing across the State with incentives and rebates.

EEA is working with CFGB, NCHH & GHHI to develop a training process. We hope to begin recruiting candidates for training in early 2012.

These three programs offer a great chance to get folks to work without the added cost of training or qualifying personnel.

EEA helps to connect organizations to employers and employers to prospective employees. We’ve brought over $10,000,000.00 in grant funds to communities across New York. Contact Mary Fisher if you’re interested in learning how you or your organization can get involved.

Be Well!