CWD International, Inc dba The Environmental Training Fund is a nonprofit organization that has operated with 501c3 status in excess of a decade.
The Environmental Training Fund has recently concentrated its efforts in the area of lead paint abatement training. ETF offers free training and, in most cases, subsequent employment of homeless and jobless individuals through scholarship programs. ETF offers free training for county health department employees.
In addition, a pilot, volunteer program has begun in Florida. Under this volunteer program, inspectors, contractors and workers get free training in trade for their services in lead contaminated foster care facilities.
One goal of the Environmental Training Fund is to obtain approvals to train in all states. In this fashion, as needs grow in one geographic area and decline in another, ETF scholarship students will be able to move with ease. To this end, ETF has been fully audited and approved by scores of state programs, and is fully approved by the USEPA in all of its regions.
Our Spanish courses have also been fully audited by Spanish spoken auditors. Most of the work force in many areas of our country are Spanish spoken.
With a new array of jobs available and funding for the training of individuals available, ETF's intent is to reduce unempoyment while building a safe, skilled workforce to reduce the lead poisoning of our children.
Why are these emerging jobs?
The Lead Prevention Act (Senate Bill 240, September 1991) was amended in 1992 to include leaded paint abatement in both public housing and structures on Native American lands. The Department of Health Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Unit developed training certification requirements and created job titles and descriptions for leaded paint abatement workers in late 1993. Jobs should grow even more dramatically for lead abatement workers when future legislation mandates abatement for all public, commercial and residential structures.
"The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has mandated that nationwide worker certification programs be established to ensure that lead hazards are safely reduced in private and publicly funded housing. This mandate will dramatically increase the demand for a skilled lead abatement work force."
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT WORKERS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Abatement Workers remove lead based paint from walls, ceilings and floors in homes and buildings. They put scaffolds together and seal off work areas. They position decontamination units or portable showers at work entrance to safely remove lead dust. They wear protective clothing and an air purifying respirator-mask while working.
Skills
- Understand and use blueprints, drawings, or other detailed instructions
- Understand and use hazardous material (HAZMAT) handler safety rules
- Follow instructions exactly
- Work from scaffolds
Hourly Wage: $6.80 - $25.00
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT SUPERVISORS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Abatement Supervisors take charge of the day-to-day operations of the abatement site and ensure the security of the work area. They keep up with federal, State and local abatement requirements work in cooperation with building owners, consultants and air-monitoring technicians to meet construction deadlines safely and efficiently.
Skills
- Understand and apply abatement laws/regulations
- Schedule and oversee the work of others
- Understand and use blueprints, drawings or other detailed instructions
- Understand and use HAZMAT worker safety rules
Hourly Wage: $6.80 - $33.00
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT INSPECTORS AND ASSESSORS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Abatement Inspectors and Assessors collect samples and evaluate the degree of total lead hazard in residential buildings before, during and after abatement. They assess the degree of hazard posed by the possible presence of leaded paint in occupied housing units. They also fill out detailed reports for federal, State and local regulatory agencies.
Skills
- Understand and apply abatement laws/regulations
- Write clear technical reports
- Make decisions in the field according to safety standards
- Perform detail work accurately
Hourly Wage: $7.20-$18.00
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT PROJECT MONITORS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Abatement Project Monitors oversee leaded paint removal work and administer contracts under the supervision of Leaded Paint Abatement Consultants. They may take samples and conduct tests to monitor air quality and contamination control.
Skills
- Understand and apply abatement laws/regulations
- Write clear technical reports
- Make decisions in the field according to safety standards
- Perform detail work accurately
Hourly Wage: Not Available*
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT PROJECT DESIGNERS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Abatement Project Designers develop a specific leaded paint abatement plan for each residential work-site. They prepare detailed cost estimates and specifications for individual projects.
Skills
- Understand and apply abatement laws/regulations
- Write clear technical reports
- Make decisions in the field according to safety standards
- Perform detail work accurately
Hourly Wage: Not Available*
LEADED PAINT ABATEMENT CONSULTANTS
What They Do
Leaded Paint Consultants inspect buildings for lead contamination, collect samples, prepare and manage contracts and abatement plans, design abatement projects, and monitor projects to ensure that government regulatory requirements are met.
Skills
- See Inspectors and Assessors and Supervisors in this publication
Hourly Wage: Not Available**
Where the Jobs Are:
- Lead and asbestos abatement contractors
- HAZMAT Consulting Firms
- Painting Contractors