Community Renewal Good Stories - Oklahoma City

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Environmental Training To Provide Jobs, Redevelopment Opportunities

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, EZ

In an effort to reclaim contaminated land within the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma EZ's borders, the city's office of workforce development will use an EPA Brownfields Job-Training Grant to prepare 110 EZ residents for careers in environmental remediation.

The restoration of brownfields not only removes community eyesores, it also opens up opportunities for economic development. The EPA defines brownfields as "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."

To become certified each trainee will receive 40 hours of instruction in both hazardous waste operations and emergency response and hazardous materials training (HAZMAT). An additional 16 hours of clandestine methamphetamine laboratory cleanup and 8 hours of confined space training are included in the program.

Potential trainees must be in good health, like to work outside, and be willing to work on an on-call basis. Many of the EZ residents accepted into the program can anticipate additional income as potential wages in the environmental remediation field are generally higher than average wages in Oklahoma.

"This is an excellent opportunity for training, at no cost to the students, that can contribute to our community by cleaning up our environment," says Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson, who represents part of the EZ. "This program will add to the economic development of our city through a well-trained available workforce," she says.

Councilwoman Ann Simank, whose district includes a part of the EZ, concurs, "Our city has become a vibrant jewel, and many other cities are looking to Oklahoma City for guidance. This training program will significantly impact the well-being of our citizens whose goal is self-sufficiency."

For more information on the programs of the Oklahoma City EZ, contact Robbie Kienzle at (405) 297-1740.