The following press release was published by the US EPA on Oct. 15. It is reproduced in full below.
WASHINGTON (Oct. 15, 2021) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the selection of ten organizations to receive a total of $3.8 million in funding under a new grant program that will help build the water workforce by connecting individuals to jobs in the drinking water and wastewater utility sectors, and expanding public awareness about the benefits of careers providing vital water services.
“Workers at water and wastewater treatment utilities provide a service that is absolutely essential to public health, the environment, and economic prosperity in their communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “The water sector is facing significant workforce challenges and it is critical that EPA and its federal, state, and local partners invest in the next generation of water professionals.”
The water industry is facing wide-spread shortages of qualified workers due to expected retirements, new investments in the nation’s physical infrastructure, and new technical and scientific skill sets required to operate and maintain these systems. These grants will expand public awareness about job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and will address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities.
EPA is pleased to announce that the selected recipients for the 2020 and 2021 Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program include:
Projects that will be funded under this competition include:
EPA anticipates that it will make awards to the ten recipients once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
Background
On Jan. 22, 2021, EPA announced the Request for Applications. The period for submitting applications ended on Mar. 26, 2021.
For more information, visit:
https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/rfa-innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program
Source: US EPA
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