The federal government will need approximately 1.2 million workers in the field of hazardous materials and waste clean up as outlined under the guidelines of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including those sites controlled by the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense.

The Department of Defense environmental clean up is already large and continues to expand.  DOD has identified 18,000 sites that will cost about $25 billion to restore.  This year, the Pentagon clean up budget is $1.6 billion, and the FY94 request is for $2.3 billion.  The DOD is currently engaged in clean ups at some 1,800 locations in the U.S. and at nearly 1,700 locations overseas.  Over 100 of these sites are scheduled for closure or realignment, and 93 are on the Environmental Protection Agency Superfund list of most contaminated sites.

The State of California alone has 84 major clean up sites.  Contractors in the local area need workers in this rapidly advancing field.  Solano College has made a commitment to train personnel at the hands-on worker level.

The Program

Solano Community College offers two certificate programs: Hazardous Substance and Waste Handling Technician, and Hazmat Worker.  A certificate of achievement can be earned by completing the 18-unit (Technician) or the Job Direct curriculum.  The training meets all OSHA requirements for workers handling hazardous substances.  The Hazardous Substance and Waste Handling specialties are part of the college’s Fire Technology Program.  For complete information you can contact the program coordinator at Solano College: (707) 864-7148.

Go to your catalog to find the requirements to achieve the:

• Certificate of Achievement only
• Job Direct Certificate/Hazmat Worker