Careers in Asbestos Abatement & Environmental Remediation
“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)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is funding an effort by the City of Worcester’s MassHire Central Region Workforce Board to recruit and train unemployed and underemployed residents from communities affected by environmental pollution, economic disinvestment, and Brownfields.
In addition to providing free training that leads to four nationally recognized certifications, this Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) program offers free job placement assistance to participants who complete the four week training. These jobs offer starting salaries of $18-$20/hour or more.
Since the EWDJT program was created in 1998, EPA has funded 335 job training grants totaling over $72M. 18,541 individuals have been trained and 13,751 individuals have been placed in full-time careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.
Please note: Guidance from program partners and the condensed training timeline requires perfect attendance so participants can earn all four free certifications within the allotted timeframe. Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange their affairs to attend each class.
If a participant must miss a class and notifies program staff in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the unavoidable absence, program staff will try to help identify ways for the participant to “make up” the missed class/class material. Any assistance will be offered at the sole discretion of program staff and based in part on the availability of training resources, the nature of the absence, advance notification provided (at least 48 hours), and the participant’s academic performance.
At the sole discretion of program staff, 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). Make-up training options will consider input from program partners and be at the sole discretion of program staff.


Schedule
Each four week program is full time, Monday – Friday (generally 8AM – 4PM, hours may vary). Classes are taught in English, per state law. Participants who successfully complete the free four week training are eligible to earn four nationally recognized certificates/credentials: OSHA-10 hour Construction Safety, OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Supervisor, OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER, and Massachusetts Deleading Contractor/Supervisor.
Training | Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3 |
---|---|---|---|
OSHA-10 hour location: Atlas | April 6, 7 | May 2, 3 | June 1, 2 |
BOUNCE location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | April 4, 5, 8 | May 4, 5, 6 | June 20, 21, 22 |
OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | April 11, 12, 15 | May 9, 10, 13 | June 6, 7, 10 |
OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor (hands-on); location: Atlas | April 13, 14 | May 11, 12 | June 8, 9 |
OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER; location: MassHire Worcester (Walnut Room) | April 18, 19, 20, 21 | May 16, 17, 18, 19 | June 13, 14, 15, 16 |
OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER (hands-on); location: Atlas | April 22 | May 20 | June 17 |
MA Deleading Contractor/Supervisor (hands-on); location: IEE | April 26, 27, 28, 29 | May 23, 24, 25, 26 | June 27, 28, 29, 30 |
Notes: No training June 23 and June 24. |
Core Curriculum
OSHA-10 hour Construction Safety
OSHA-40 hour HAZWOPER 40 with Confined Space Entry
EPA-Certified Deleading Contractor/Supervisor Training (8 hours)
OSHA-40 hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor/Contractor
Communications and leadership training
Contextualized and hands-on curriculum

Participant Eligibility, Screening, & Admissions
The program encourage applications from individuals who have a strong interest in careers in hazardous materials handling and remediation. While we prioritize complete application packets from qualified City of Worcester residents, we welcome applications from all individuals seeking to improve their lives via training for a career in this high demand field.
After submitting a complete application packet (to include eligibility documents), prospective participants will be invited to a mandatory info session in a group interview setting. Applicants may also be asked to participate in a personal interview. Applicants lacking a HS degree or equivalent may be administered The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE – English) (passing = minimum 7th grade literacy level).
Upon completing all program requirements, graduates will receive free job search and job placement assistance from MassHire Central Region Career Center Counselors. Please 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. MassHire staff will work with program graduates and employers to find the best fit.
This program seeks to enroll highly motivated individuals from urban core communities in the City of Worcester, in 37 surrounding towns and communities, and in Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth. To be eligible, participants must:
Be 18 years of age or older
Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Have a High School degree or equivalent (recommended but not required)
Under-employed or unemployed
City of Worcester residents may be eligible for $200/wk training support stipends
Free Transportation to Offsite Trainings
Admitted students must arrive on time at all designated training locations. To ensure participants arrive on time and relieve travel stress/costs, the program offers free van transportation (provided by Knights Limo) to and from offsite trainings.
- Using Free Van Service: Enrolled participants who want to use the free van service must reserve a spot by notifying program staff in writing at least one week in advance (48 hours at the latest).
- Pick up and drop off: In front of the building at 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 days scheduled for off-site training, participants MUST be in front of the building at 340 Main Street at least 10 minutes before the free 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.
OSHA-10 Hour Construction Safety Training: May 4/5, June 1/2 (Atlas – West Springfield)
Five hours of training/day (8AM – 2PM). On these days, participants must meet in front of 340 Main Street not later than 6:30AM for a 6:45AM departure to arrive at Atlas by 7:45AM. The van will depart Atlas at 2:15PM and return to 340 Main Street by 3:30PM.
Program Partners
The City of Worcester’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program was developed in partnership with representatives from the environmental services and consulting industry, community organizations, the City of Worcester Housing Development Division, and many other partners. The program combines the expertise and lessons learned from the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board’s previous adult job training programs with best practices and input from our valued community-based partner organizations and job training providers. Training and transportation are funded through the EPA’s EWDJT Grant Program. Our partners:

Partner Name | Address | Partner Classification |
---|---|---|
Atlas – ATC | 73 William Franks Dr., West Springfield | Training partner for OSHA |
IEE | 16 Upton Drive, Wilmington | Training partner for MA Deleading Supervisor |
City of Worcester Housing Development Division | City Hall 4th floor, 455 Main St., Worcester | Deleading Supervisor 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 |
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 |
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 |
Training Syllabi
Resources
MCRWB Press Release (3/15/22): “Free Asbestos Abatement/Environmental Remediation Worker Training Offers Pathway to Good Paying Jobs for People Without a High School Degree”
EPA Press Release (3/11/21): “EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant Will Train Workers in Worcester”