To sustain and support the growing brownfield cleanup industry, New York City needs more trained workers to implement brownfield investigation and cleanup plans, and to support the businesses that do this work. New York City has many qualified workers seeking quality employment capable of providing support for themselves and their families. The Unskilled Worker Brownfield Training Program offered by the NYC Brownfield Partnership (Partnership) is designed to help address these two needs and help build a workforce that can achieve the city's brownfield cleanup goals.

Under this program, member organizations in the Partnership generally agree to provide specialized, on-the-job training for one or more qualified worker trainees each year, pending workload performed in New York City. Existing community workforce development organizations, including STRIVE and St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation, will provide advanced preparatory employment training for unskilled workers prior to entry into this program to enable trainees to thrive during the training provided by the member organizations. Community workforce development organizations will provide mandatory certifications, including the 40-hour HAZWOPER training (see below) that trainees will need to participate in this program. These organizations will also provide advice to member organizations on effective worker training practices.

Prior to participation in environmental remediation field work involving hazardous materials, all workers must first receive 40-hour HAZWOPER training and certification. This training and certification will be provided in conjunction with the training provided by community workforce development organizations and will be delivered prior to participation in this Partnership program. Member organizations will not be obligated to provide this or other worker certifications. Independent programs will be developed to secure outside financial support for community workforce development organizations to ensure delivery of qualified workers for this program. It is anticipated that this will include costs for performance of the certification training and a stipend for trainees to cover time and travel costs.

When worker participation in Partnership on-the-job training is complete, worker placement agencies, in conjunction with community workforce development organizations, will provide placement for both temporary and permanent employment in the environmental industry.

The goal of this program is to provide the training necessary to enable qualified workers to acquire and sustain full-time employment in the brownfield industry or related industries. Member organizations are not required to provide full time employment to workers they train. However, they are free to hire these workers if it serves their business interests, or they may hire from a list of workers trained under earlier stages of this program by contacting worker placement entities established for this program. A list of the workers that have completed training will also be maintained by the worker placement agencies and the Partnership for this purpose. Member organizations are expected to provide a salary during the training period. Recommended salary for workers during the training period is $12 per hour. Independent programs will be pursued to secure outside financial support to provide a salary subsidy for member organizations to encourage greater participation.

This program is offered free of charge to trainees. If you are a worker residing in NYC and are interested in participating in this program, email the Partnership at info@brownfieldnyc.org, or contact Ron Lee at (718) 302-2057 x210 (St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation) or Larry Jackson at (646) 335-0832 (STRIVE). If you are interested in learning more about this program, visit the Partnership website at www.brownfieldnyc.org.