EPA press release on Williamsburg youth job training, Dec 2001

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An EPA environmental contractor hired the twenty candidates from St. Nicks. The workers helped set up and

then staffed EPA wash stations for World Trade Center rescue workers and also worked on debris removal

efforts at ground zero. St. Nicks places approximately 350 people a year in jobs, and recently graduated 34

people as environmental technicians.

“This brownfields training program fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment for young people, who may not

be in the educational mainstream. They are given job skills they can use to improve the environment in their own

communities,” Ms. Kenny added.

The intensive brownfields pilot training program includes courses on hazardous waste health and safety training

for workers, preliminary assessment and cleanup investigations, auditing, site characterization, risk

communication and the selection of appropriate cleanup actions. The hands-on training will have a particular

focus on the use of cutting-edge, innovative assessment and cleanup technologies.

New York City is St. Nicks’ partner in the program and the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination has

supported the group in the past by donating educational resources. St. Nicks has already received letters of

support fi-om five prospective employers and the Carpenters Union, as well as community organizations. St.

Nicks will track trainees for more than two years and offer lifetime career development and job placement

support. St. Nicks hopes to permanently offer environmental technician training through pubEc and private

funds.

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