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JOB TRAINING PROGRAM
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
A FORCE FOR CHANGE IN BROWNFIELDS IMPACTED COMMUNITIES
The students were recruited from
disenfranchised, economically
disadvantaged communities with
high unemployment rates...
The vision statement for Southern University at Shreveport Louisiana's (SUSLA) Division of
Community and Workforce Development (CWD) is "To Empower People and Communities through
Education and Training that will Affect A Positive Change." The CWD understands that traditional learn-
ing may not be the path for some living in their community.
Therefore, SUSLA actively sought a U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Brownfield's Job Training grant and was
awarded a $199,999 grant in September 2008.
Although the grant awarded in 2008 is the most
recent, it is not the full story of the SUSLA Brownfields Job
Training program. Its history dates back as early as 2001
when the City of Shreveport received a grant and chose
SUSLA to conduct and manage the training. CWD proposed
to train and graduate 48 students and they trained 45, meet-
ing 94% of their goal. In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina,
the City received a non-competitive EPA Brownfields job
training award in the amount of $200,000 to assist those who relocated to the Shreveport area to obtain
training for the cleanup and redevelopment of the hurri-
cane devastated area. They proposed to train and gradu-
ate 32 and trained 35. They met their goals in one of the
most challenging times for that community.
In 2006, SUSLA received their first Job Training-
grant. The University's CWD proposed to train 36 stu-
dents, place at least 30 graduates in environmental jobs, and track graduates for one year. They con-
ducted six eight-week training courses in HAZWOPER, hazardous material, first responder, asbestos,
lead, chemical spill, confined space, innovative technology, and mold worker training. The students
were recruited from disenfranchised, economically disadvantaged communities with high unemployment
rates and residents who lacked job skills. They continued to
reach out to those relocated by providing job training and place-
ment. SUSLA trained 42 and graduated 38. SUSLA was also
selected for their most recent grant awarded in September
2008 in the amount of $199,999. SUSLA plans to train 37 stu-
dents, place 31 graduates in environmental jobs, and track
them for one year using the previous successful class model.
Three area employers have expressed interest in partnering
with SUSLA and hiring trained graduates. To date, they have
trained 21 and graduated 18.
How does SUSLA successfully achieve their goals? First, SUSLA obtained information and
tools that the local area needs to carry out their responsibilities in connection with assessment and
cleanup of Brownfields properties. Secondly, they actively recruited trainees from Brownfields-impacted
communities. Finally, cooperation and responsibility contribute to the overall success of the Brownfields
program. The University's affirmation of dedication is shaped by the following core values: quality, in-
tegrity, empowerment, professionalism, learning, evaluation, discovery, customer service and growth.
For more information, contact Yolanda H. Gilyard, SUSLA Program Manager, 318-670-6673.
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