STLCC Receives EPA Grant for Brownfields Job Training

St. Louis Community College continues to lead the region by working to strengthen the St. Louis area. 

Its latest efforts were acknowledged Wednesday, Feb. 22, when the College received a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Job Training program. 

Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., chancellor of STLCC, and Hart Nelson, chief operating officer, were joined by EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister at the ceremonial check presentation. The College plans to use the funds to train 88 students and place at least 63 of them in environmental jobs. 

“We at St. Louis Community College are extremely grateful to receive this $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency,” Pittman said. “It’s a substantial increase to the generous investments the EPA has already made in our programs over the past several years."

The College’s training program includes more than 220 hours of instruction in areas such as hazardous waste, health and safety, mold remediation, and lead and asbestos abatement. The program is focused on recruiting students within the area of St. Louis and East St. Louis who are unemployed or underemployed, veterans or have justice system involvement. 

“We’re proud to continue our nearly 20-year partnership with St. Louis Community College,” McCollister said. “Their job training program has the power to change lives, with over 370 St. Louisans having obtained sought-after environmental career skills through the years. This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is an investment in a skilled workforce that will be prepared and empowered to clean up properties within the greater St. Louis community.”

Through programs supported by the EPA’s FY23 Brownfields Training Grant, individuals will receive enhanced environmental health and safety training related to hazardous waste site remediation. Some may also elect to pursue training in energy efficiency through solar installer courses. 

Because training is provided free of charge, the College will be able to offer these life-changing opportunities to low-income, first-generation college students from underserved segments of our community.

“We’re thrilled to expand our long-standing partnership with the EPA through the Brownfields Job Training Grant,” said Phyllis Ellison, associate vice chancellor of STLCC’s Workforce Solutions Group. “We’re proud to provide such critical environmental education, training, and job placement opportunities for area residents, while also supporting the EPA’s mission of protecting the overall health of the community and the environment.”

Since 1998, EPA has awarded 371 Brownfields Job Training grants. With these grants, more than 20,341 individuals have completed trainings, and over 15,168 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.