&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response
(5204G)
EPA 540-K-97-002
OSWER 9378.0-09FS
PB97-963207
January 1997
The Superfund Jobs Training
Initiative (SuperJTI)
What is SuperJTI?
• SuperJTI is a new initiative that provides
training to community residents and promotes
their employment with Superfund site cleanup
contractors.
EPA's SuperJTI focuses on job training for residents
living near Superfund sites, particularly in disadvantaged
communities. Residents who take part in the program
will gain career skills and participate in the environmental
remediation activities in their neighborhood. SuperJTI is
a positive step in addressing concerns of communities
affected by Superfund sites.
The initiative combines extensive classroom instruction
and hands-on work experience for each participant. Upon
completion of the program, each participant will possess
marketable skills and become a valuable member of the
community's workforce.
Pre-Employment Training
Pre-employment training and classroom instruction are
important components of SuperJTI. EPA has partnered
with the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS) to provide such training. Through a
NIEHS worker training program, participants receive
several weeks of life skills and pre-employment training
along with additional weeks of environmental and
technical training (e.g., 40-hour Hazardous Material
training, lead abatement training, asbestos abatement
EXTRA!!!
gimeg EXTRA!!!
HELP WANTED
— Superfund Job Openings ~
Training Provided
training). The technical training teaches the requirements
of site health and safety that prepare participants for site
work.
If training is not available to the community through a
NIEHS worker training program, EPA will work with the
community to provide training through alternative
sources.
SuperJTI is designed to be flexible in meeting the needs
of both the community and the cleanup contractor. The
program consists of two separate tiers: Tier 1 is a basic
jobs training program while Tier 2 is more extensive and
includes the Department of Labor's registered
apprenticeship program. Both tiers include classroom
instruction and pre-employment training.
Tier 1 Basic Jobs Training
EPA facilitates the training of local residents for positions
with cleanup contractors. Contractors are encouraged to
participate in the SuperJTI by hiring candidates who have
successfully completed all training. The available
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opportunities may range from entry-level to advanced
positions, and may include some of the following:
Providing site security
Stocking and tracking materials inventory
Acquiring materials from local resources
Tracking trucks entering or leaving site
Participating in site cleanup
Supporting decontamination
Assisting in sample collection and laboratory
activities.
Tier 2 Apprenticeship Training
Tier 2 provides more in-depth occupational training than
the entry-level job training offered in Tier 1. Applicants
enroll in the Department of Labor's registered
apprenticeship program and complete at least 2,000 hours
of on-the-job training in a variety of skills in one
particular occupation. A sampling of the over 800
apprenticeship training occupations offered by the
program includes:
Environmental Analyst
Well Drill Operator
Construction Worker
Laboratory Technician
Plant Operator
Welding Technician
Hazardous Waste Materials Technician
Industrial Engineering Technician
EPA is working with the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) to model SuperJTI Tier 2
after HUD's Step-Up Program. Their Step-Up program
incorporates an apprenticeship program that provides
employment opportunities for housing residents.
What are the Benefits?
• SuperJTI is a "win-win-win "program that
benefits communities, residents, and contractors.
Communities-opportunity to strengthen local
base, boost community involvement, increase
skills, and restore the environment.
Residents-opportunity to learn new career skills; earn
wages; upgrade knowledge of local Superfund effort; and
participate in rebuilding their communities.
Contractors-opportunity to hire local, trained workers;
possible eligibility for tax incentives (e.g., Empowerment
Zones); and build goodwill in the community by playing
an important role in boosting local economy and restoring
the environment.
How Can You Participate?
• To join this innovative effort, contact:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Superfund Community Involvement
and Outreach Center
Mail Code 5204-G
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone 703/603-8835 - Fax 703/603-9100
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