Iowa Western Community College is set to embark on a new initiative aimed at recruiting and training individuals in the safe deconstruction of buildings. This effort, supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to transform contaminated areas into spaces that are safe for public use.
In a recent announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that Iowa Western Community College, located in Council Bluffs, has been awarded a grant totaling $478,474 through the Brownfields Job Training Program. This initiative aims to assist organizations in training and employing individuals to restore areas believed or confirmed to be environmentally contaminated.
In a recent interview, Matt Mancuso, the vice president of business and community education, announced that the college plans to utilize these funds to recruit and train up to 96 students over the next four years. The initiative aims to assist these individuals in securing employment in Council Bluffs, North Omaha, and the surrounding areas, specifically focusing on brownfield sites.
Mancuso expressed enthusiasm, stating, “It’s exciting for both Iowa Western and the community to have this type of training.”
The Environmental Protection Agency has assigned Iowa Western the responsibility of recruiting individuals who are underemployed or unemployed to strengthen the workforce, according to Mancuso. Participants in the program will be provided with a stipend. In the concluding year of the five-year grant, efforts will be focused on reconnecting with graduates to assess their current status and employment situation.
Participants in the upcoming four-week training program will receive instruction on the safe deconstruction of buildings, according to Mancuso. The curriculum will also cover essential procedures for handling lead paint and asbestos, along with compliance with OSHA standards. In a significant move, the college has crafted its curriculum following discussions with officials from Council Bluffs, aiming to identify the most valuable offerings for the community.
According to the release, participants have the opportunity to exit the training program with as many as five federal certifications, while nearly 70 individuals are set to secure positions in environmental jobs. Mancuso highlighted the presence of brownfield sites across the United States, including in Council Bluffs. He emphasized that even individuals not directly involved with these sites possess skills that are currently in high demand.
Mancuso expressed optimism that the program will significantly impact both the students and the organizations and businesses associated with the college.
In a significant development, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister stated, “Today’s announcement is a key step in revitalizing communities and transforming underutilized Midwestern spaces,” during the release. “The selected organizations have been congratulated, and there is great anticipation for collaboration aimed at cultivating a skilled workforce in environmental jobs.”
