Green Jobs Training: DWEJ and the UAW Collaboration

Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) and the International Union, UAW Education/Health & Safety Department have had an ongoing partnership for many years. This partnership has included sharing of training resources and reciprocal service on each others' Advisory Boards for specific projects. DWEJ's Green Jobs Training Program empowers Detroit residents to become environmental activists and pursue jobs in emerging green industries through a rigorous 16 week course, where trainees learn and practice skills, earn certifications, and qualify for jobs in construction, lead and asbestos abatement, environmental assessment and other environmental remediation. Both DWEJ and UAW receive grant funding indirectly and directly from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). DWEJ identified a need to have qualified instruction in HAZWOPER, Confined Space Entry, OSHA Construction, and Fall Hazard Prevention. UAW is a provider of these courses to its membership, and was approached by DWEJ to be a provider of this specific training in the Green Jobs Training Program. The result of this collaboration is the UAW and DWEJ successfully leveraging the training resources, with UAW able to claim the trainees and contact hours for the training provided. All of the training provided by UAW to DWEJ trainees is evaluated by the University of Michigan, and reported to NIEHS in grant progress reports. These collaborative efforts have led to DWEJ trainees obtaining jobs. Possible next steps will include increasing the numbers of Green Jobs Training Programs, with UAW continuing to provide top-quality training to DWEJ participants.