WORCESTER—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a prestigious Brownfields Job Training Grant to Worcester’s MassHire Central Region Workforce Board (MCRWB), making the city one of only 16 recipients nationwide.
The $500,000 grant funds environmental workforce development, focusing on training local residents for jobs in environmental remediation and community revitalization.
This initiative, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to address environmental justice issues and economic disparities. Worcester’s program specifically targets students from six urban Opportunity Zone Census Tracts, designated as disadvantaged Justice40 communities.
Over the next three years, starting in Spring 2025, MCRWB plans to train 80 participants, equipping them with essential skills such as asbestos and lead abatement, mold remediation, and hazardous waste management. Graduates can earn up to seven certifications, enhancing their employability for long-term careers in environmental fields.
This marks Worcester’s second environmental grant from the EPA, building on the success of a previous $300,000 initiative.
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