A Wichita agency has received a federal grant for environmental job training programs.  The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas will receive nearly $500,000 in a Brownfields Job Training Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

A check was presented to Workforce Alliance leaders during an event at the Wichita Workforce Center.

Workforce Alliance president and CEO Keith Lawing said in a press release, “Through this funding, we will be able to partner with community organizations and local employers to empower 90 individuals, especially those who are unemployed or underemployed in communities impacted by blighted properties and contaminated sites. Graduates will gain the skills necessary to secure full-time, sustainable employment in the environmental sector. This program not only opens doors for personal growth, but also contributes to the environmental revitalization and sustainability of our community. Together, we are building a cleaner, healthier Wichita for future generations.”

The Workforce Alliance will provide training in key areas, including asbestos abatement; obtaining a commercial driver’s license for the transportation of hazardous waste; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Management; and OSHA 30-hour Occupational Health and Safety for General Industry. This comprehensive training will equip students with the necessary expertise to contribute effectively to their community and empower them with the essential skills needed to tackle and mitigate critical environmental issues within the local community.

Partners in the grant include the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, Regional Economic Area Partnership, Kansas Department of Commerce, the Heartland Environmental Justice Center at Wichita State University, Goodwill Industries of Kansas, and local employers Clean Harbors, Dondlinger Construction, iSi Environmental, Remediation Contractors, and Terracon. Information for individuals who would like to enroll in the program will be available in spring of 2025.