Careers in Asbestos Abatement & Environmental Remediation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded a workforce development program by the City of Worcester’s MassHire Central Region Workforce Board to recruit, train, and place in stable, full-time jobs unemployed and underemployed residents from communities affected by environmental pollution, economic disinvestment, and Brownfields. Environmental remediation positions are in high demand and offer starting salaries of $18-$20/hour or more.
“The term ‘brownfield site’ means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” (Federal Brownfields Act of 2002)
In addition to providing free training that leads to four nationally recognized certifications, the Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) program offers free job placement assistance to participants who complete the three-week training.
“I want to thank MassHire for the opportunity to further my business licensing and help me grow with qualified candidates! Participating in this training also helped me discover all the other services MassHire offers. I can’t wait to work with MassHire in the future.” (A.V., May ’22 graduate)
Watch this video from a program graduate!
Please note: Guidance from program partners and the condensed training timeline requires perfect attendance so participants can earn all four free certifications within the training timeframe. We strongly encourage trainees to attend each class. Support remittances are awarded to trainees who complete training (weekly and overall) without absences.
If a participant must miss a class, program staff will try to help the participant “make up” the missed class/class material. Assistance is offered at the sole discretion of program staff and based on the availability of training resources, the nature of the absence, advance notification, and the participant’s academic performance. A participant with an excused unavoidable absence may be offered an option to complete missed training with a later cohort(s). If granted this option, a participant must complete the entire training for that certification (not just the portion missed).
Schedule
This free, three-week program is full time, Monday – Friday (generally 8AM – 4PM). Classes are taught in English, per state law. Participants who successfully complete training are eligible to earn four nationally recognized certificates/credentials: OSHA-10 hour Construction Safety, 40-hour Asbestos Supervisor training, OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER, and ECSI (Emergency Care & Safety Institute) First Aid/CPR/AED. Participants also get two days of BOUNCE (communications, soft skills, and leadership) training. Graduates receive free job placement assistance.
Participants who complete training consecutively without absences will receive support services remittances:
- $50 support services remittance for completing weeks 2 and 3
- $150 support services remittance for completing all 3 weeks
Note: Please allow 2-4 weeks to receive your training support stipends or support services remittances.
| Training | April 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOUNCE location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | completed | completed | 5, 6 |
| OSHA-10 hour Construction Safety location: Atlas | completed | completed | 7, 8 |
| ECSI (Emergency Care & Safety Institute) First Aid, CPR/AED location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | completed | completed | 9 |
| OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | completed | completed | 12, 13, 16 |
| OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor (hands-on) location: Atlas | completed | completed | 14, 15 |
| OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | completed | completed | 19, 20, 21, 22 |
| OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER (hands-on) location: Atlas | completed | completed | 23 |
Core Curriculum
Participant Eligibility, Screening, & Admissions
Applications are CLOSED.
Program graduates get free job search and job placement assistance from MassHire Central Region Career Center Counselors. MassHire staff will work with program graduates and employers to find the best fit. (Note: Potential employers may have additional hiring requirements, including an Asbestos/Lead Physical Exam, Respirator Fit Test, drug test, and/or a current, valid driver’s license.)
To be eligible, participants must:
Free Transportation to Offsite Trainings
We offer free van transportation (provided by Knights Limo) to and from offsite trainings.
- Free Van: Enrolled participants who want to use the free van service must notify program staff in writing one week in advance (24 hours at the latest).
- Pick up & drop off: Front of 340 Main Street in downtown Worcester.
- Enrolled participants will be given a schedule that lists offsite training days and the times/locations to access the free van service.
- On off-site training days, participants MUST be in front of the building at 340 Main Street at least 10 minutes before the van is scheduled to depart.
- Parking in downtown Worcester: Limited and expensive. Trainees are encouraged to use free WRTA or ridesharing services to arrive on time.
- Privately Owned Vehicle, Ridesharing service, Carpool: Trainees may use a POV, ridesharing service (e.g., Uber/Lyft), and/or “carpool” with other trainees. Program staff will not coordinate or reserve ridesharing services or carpools.
- Non-reimbursable expenses: The program will not reimburse trainees for any travel expenses related to use of POVs or ridesharing services to get to or from (or park at) designated training locations. Trainees must arrive on time at all designated training locations.
Program Partners
The City of Worcester’s EWDJT program was developed in partnership with representatives from the environmental services and consulting industry, community organizations, and other partners. Training and transportation are funded through the EPA. Our partners:
| Partner Name | Address | Partner Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas – ATC | 73 William Franks Dr., West Springfield | OSHA training provider |
| Pulse Savers (Year 2 ONLY) | pulsesaversma@yahoo.com | ECSI training provider |
| IEE (Year 1 ONLY) | 16 Upton Drive, Wilmington | TMA Deleading Supervisor training provider |
| City of Worcester Housing Development Div. (Year 1 ONLY) | City Hall 4th floor, 455 Main St., Worcester | Coordinating partner |
| Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce | 311 Main St., Ste. 200, Worcester | Business/Community partner |
| MassHire Central Career Center Business Engagement Services Team | 340 Main St., Ste. 400, Worcester | Massachusetts Workforce Association |
| Abide, Inc. | 483 Shaker Rd., East Longmeadow | Employer partner |
| Ascentria Care Alliance | 11 Shattuck St., Worcester | Employer partner |
| Kyle R. Blood GC | 1387 Mass Ave., Lunenberg | Employer partner |
| Banner Environmental Services, Inc. | 672 Pleasant Street, Norwood | Employer partner |
| Catamount Environmental, Inc. | PO Box 160, Wilmington, VT | Employer partner |
| E.T. & L. Corporation | 873 Great Rd., Stow | Employer partner |
| Fisher Contracting (MBE, WBE) | 11 Webster Pl., Worcester | Employer partner |
| Gold Star Builders, Inc. (MBE) | 6 Jacques St., Worcester | Employer partner |
| Muchkin Construction GC | 4 Village Rock Lane, Natick | Employer partner |
| Strategic Environmental Services, Inc. | 362 Putnam Hill Road, Sutton | Employer partner |
| We Fix It Renovate | 11 Apex Dr., Suite 300, Marlborough | Employer partner |
| Worcester Jobs Fund | 340 Main St., Ste. 400, Worcester | Community partner |
| Central MA Regional Planning Commission | One Mercantile St., Ste. 520, Worcester | Community partner |
| MassEdCo | 484 Main St., Ste. 500, Worcester | Community partner |
| Resource Options, Inc. | 200 Highland Avenue, Suite 404, Needham | Employer partner |
| YOU, Inc. – Seven Hills Foundation | 81 Hope Ave., Worcester | Community partner |
| Worcester Community Action Coalition (WCAC) | 484 Main St., 2nd floor, Worcester | Community partner |
| Grafton Job Corps | 100 Pine St., North Grafton | Community partner |
| Worcester Public Schools | 20 Irving St., Worcester | Community partner |
