Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The Knoxville Tennessee Career Center has been hosting job fairs for laid off workers who possess been newly certified as environmental technicians. Job fairs are being held every Tuesday until all of the program graduates are placed in jobs.

This is part of a pilot program the career center began to help displaced workers get green jobs. The career center worked with the International Artificial Workers Union Council to provide workers with a five week program that included a variety of training as well as certifications. During the five week course, workers were trained for 40 hours in Hazardous Waste Operations as well as Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), 30 hours in Occupational Health as well as Safety Administration (OSHA) construction, 16 hours in lead paint remediation, four days in mold remediation, four days in asbestos remediation as well as one day in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as well as other earliest aid skills.

Program graduates received certifications in all of these things. The HAZWOPER certification is the most significant, as it deals with five dissimilar kinds of waste operations under OSHA standards. It is a requirement for workers to participate in emergency environmental cleanup jobs.

The program was offered for without charge to displaced workers served by the career center. The $47,000 cost was funded through the city’s Workforce Connections program.

For the filled story, go to Knoxville News Sentinel.