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Workforce Alliance brings EPA brownfields training and $1.5M veterans reintegration grant to Sedgwick County
Summary
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas announced two federal grant awards: a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Job Training grant to train environmental remediation and hazmat workers, and a $1.5 million Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program award to train and support veterans over three years.
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas told the Sedgwick County commission on Sept. 3 that it has secured two federal grants the agency says will expand local training and employment access.
Amanda Duncan, program staff for Workforce Alliance, described a $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Job Training grant that will run for two years and aims to train roughly 90 people per year in environmental remediation skills, including OSHA and hazmat training, asbestos remediation and commercial-driver licensing with hazardous materials endorsements. "This is the first time Kansas has been awarded this grant training program," Duncan said. Workforce Alliance said the program is renewable pending future awards in other communities.
The second award is a $1.5 million Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant spanning three years. Duncan said the program will serve veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness and veterans releasing from incarceration; the grant will fund job training plus wraparound supports such as transportation and housing assistance. "We hope to serve about 130 veterans per year," she told commissioners when asked for target numbers.
Keith Long of Workforce Alliance said both grants have already opened for referrals and enrollment. He also previewed a large job fair the agency is organizing in anticipation of the Gillies casino and entertainment district in Park City, which the Alliance expects will require substantial local hiring as the project onboards employees and secures state gaming credentials.
Commissioners thanked the Workforce Alliance for bringing the grants to the region. Commissioner Trevor Howe pointed to specific potential redevelopment projects, such as the 29th and Grove contamination site, as examples where brownfields training could lead to reuse and economic development.
Workforce Alliance provided contact information for referrals: workforce-ks.com and (316) 771‑6600 and said in-person assistance is available at the Wichita Workforce Center at 2021 North Amidon Avenue.
