EPA selects Groundwork Denver to receive $500,000 Brownfields job training grant to build a skilled environmental workforce in Denver and Sheridan, Colorado
DENVER – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of Groundwork Denver to receive $500,000 in grant funding for an environmental job training program in the City of Sheridan and the City and County of Denver.
“This EPA Brownfields Job Training grant will help young adults in Colorado land successful jobs in environmental fields,” said EPA Region 8 Regional Administrator KC Becker. “By investing in a local environmental workforce, we can reduce contamination and further sustainability efforts to keep our communities clean.”
Funding from EPA’s Brownfields Job Training grant will support Groundwork Denver’s Green Infrastructure Training (GRIT) program over three years. The GRIT program is a paid opportunity for young adults to develop professional skills in environmental careers. The program provides federal certifications and training in green infrastructure, information about environmental regulations and post-program graduation support.
A previous GRIT program student class visits a local water treatment plant.
“This grant will support Groundwork Denver’s important work to advance local economic opportunities and address environmental issues in the communities that need it most,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). “I’m glad Colorado will benefit from this incredible nationwide investment in the health and sustainability of underserved communities nationwide.”
“Our clean energy future is already here. Now, we need the workforce to match it,” said U.S. Senator Hickenlooper (D-CO). “Investments like this give our workforce the skills and experience for in-demand jobs that’ll clean up contaminated sites and build a more sustainable economy!”
“Today's announcement is a huge win for our community and for our workforce. Investing in Groundwork Denver will open doors for Coloradoans to gain in-demand environmental careers and strengthen our leadership in environmental justice,” said U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-01). “I’m grateful to the EPA for recognizing Denver’s potential and investing in our shared vision to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
“The EPA's Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training grant gave Groundwork Denver the ability to create our Green Infrastructure Training Program (GRIT), which introduces young people to careers in green infrastructure and gives them the opportunity to build skills towards those careers,” said Groundwork Denver Executive Director Derek McCoy. “Thanks to the EPA Brownfields Job Training grant award, we can continue the important work of supporting young people in finding their passion and choosing careers that can help make their communities healthier, greener places to call home.”
A previous GRIT program student class learns how to professionally tree climb.
Groundwork Denver is an environmental nonprofit organization that first piloted the GRIT program in 2021 with a previous EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant. Groundwork Denver plans to use this year’s funding to further refine the program by investing in employer partnerships and facilitating employment placement.
Individuals that complete Groundwork Denver’s GRIT program training will graduate with certifications including:
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OSHA-10
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HASWOPER-40
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CPR/First Aid
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Tree Force Program
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Introduction to GI
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Practices for Assessing and Protecting Water Quality on Brownfields Sites
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Resident Engagement and Education
Groundwork Denver is one of 16 organizations selected to receive over $7.6 million in funding to build skilled environmental workforces in economically distressed communities across the nation. Job training and workforce development are an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.
Visit EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Grants webpage for more information on these grants.