January 3, 2012
Renovator Training Supports Local Employment
“Joint Initiative Partners MVCC, LPP and Workforce Development”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced a free training program designed to provide as many as ten persons with construction experience who are currently unemployed the necessary skills to work on pre-1978 built houses that may have lead-based paints.
The 8-hour renovator training class is a collaborative effort of the County’s Lead Primary Prevention Program, the Workforce Development Program and Mohawk Valley Community College and will be held from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on January 27th, 2012 at MVCC’s training facility located at 524 Elizabeth Street in Utica. The program is supported through two-thousand dollar in funding provided by the Workforce Development Institute, a not-for-profit organization established in collaboration with the NYS AFL-CIO.
“In these difficult economic times when area new housing stats are limited, we need to equip those who seek employment in rehabilitation-type work with the required job skills to perform work in a lead safe manner that will protect our community’s children from the lead hazards that might result during renovations,” Picente said. He added, “Offering this training through Mohawk Valley Community College provides residents the opportunity to locally obtain those skills necessary to seek employment with local contractors.”
Oneida County’s housing stock is among the oldest in New York State, and while sturdy and architecturally aesthetic, is covered with lead-based paints requiring specialized knowledge of lead-safe work practices compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that went into effect in 2010.
“Oneida County residents planning renovations to their pre-1978 built homes should hire only those contractors who have completed the required EPA Renovator Training and request proof of certification before work begins,” Dr. Gayle Jones, Director of Health said. She continued, “A list of EPA certified contractors in our area can be found by going to the Environmental Protection Agency’s web site at EPA.gov.”
To register for the Renovation Training class or for more information on working with lead-based paints and EPA regulations visit the Oneida County Health Department’s web site at ocgov.net or call the Lead Primary Prevention Program at 266-6147.
