Barton Community College in conjunction with the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE) will begin offering a 10-day Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program at military installations across the country. The course is geared toward transitioning soldiers, retirees and family members at no cost.

The training will consist of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hazardous materials course, a 10-hour general industry safety course and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training and will consist of classroom instruction and hands-on applications.

The program is being offered at no cost because PETE recently received a grant for $300,000 over a five-year period from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). PETE chose Barton as a contractor to provide the instruction. Barton will utilize a custom-designed, mobile training trailer to provide instruction to disaster-site workers for the course.

Dean of Fort Riley Technical Education and Military Outreach Training Bill Nash said it is important to provide training to transitioning soldiers.

“This course is only 10 days and it is a great opportunity for transitioning soldiers because they can get this training at no-cost and immediately have qualifications that employers in the HAZMAT field are looking for,” Nash said. “They can get back to their lives and get to work right away so they can provide for their families.”

For more information, contact Dean of Fort Riley Technical Education and Military Outreach Training Bill Nash at nashw@bartonccc.edu or 785-238-8550 Extension 6812.

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