Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program will train up to 100 steel mill employees in the next two months on sustainable and environmentally friendly workplace practices.
The training is funded through a $4.6 million Energy Training Partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Institute for Career Development in Merrillville. The institute partnered with the Blue Green Alliance, a national partnership between environmental and labor groups, to launch the program at Purdue.
A group of ArcelorMittal USA salaried and hourly employees in Northwest Indiana, Cleveland and Coatesville, Pa.., will go through the training. Locally, the five-day training sessions will take place later this month and in October and November at the company's Burns Harbor and Indiana Harbor sites.
The curriculum will use classroom presentations, interactive simulations, case studies and implementation lessons to train participants in how they can help their employers reduce environmental impact and improve competitiveness. Topics covered include solid and hazardous waste management and air, water and energy management.
Participants who complete the program will receive a Green Manufacturing Specialist Certificate. Graduates are also eligible to take the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Green Manufacturing Specialist Certificate exam.
"We all have a stake in increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions," said United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard in a news release. "The steelworkers have been leading this charge for decades now. This training will enhance our highly skilled members' capacity and keep us at the forefront of the movement toward more environmentally sustainable practices."
Larry Fabina, ArcelorMittal USA energy team coordinator and manager for continuous improvement, said "this program will provide important training opportunities for steelworkers by arming them with the skills needed to make an impact at their worksites and succeed in today's competitive manufacturing sector."
