Free Training for Environmental Careers

With the state of Maryland predicting strong growth in environmental jobs over the next decade, local residents might be interested to know that qualified applicants can receive free tuition this summer at Anne Arundel Community College for courses leading to a credential in environmental technology.

The program is coordinated through the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE) Institute for Environmental Careers. CACHE is a collaboration of community colleges and workforce agencies that surround the Chesapeake Bay.

“Tuition is free for qualified applicants through the U.S. Department of Labor, which has allocated funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” said Sue Gallagher, CACHE project manager. “Expansion of a workforce equipped with environmental skills is essential to meet projected growth among industries and firms supporting conservation practices in and around the Chesapeake Bay." 

The CACHE program (that involves from three to 10 courses) is run through four consortium-member community colleges, including AACC. Some courses are even offered online.

At AACC, participants can earn four environmental credentials: Ecosystem Restoration Certificate (30 credits/eight courses), Ecosystem Restoration Letter of Recognition (10 credits/three courses), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Certificate (35 credits/nine courses) and Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Letter of Recognition (11 credits/three courses).

According to Gallagher, these programs can lead to careers such as natural resources technicians, environmental consultants, environmental or biological systems engineers, ecology educators, soil and water conservation technicians, fish or wildlife management technicians, forestry technicians, surveying assistants and wastewater technicians.

Registration for the summer courses begins Tuesday.

For information about the CACHE program and summer registration, contact Gallagher at 410-777-2124 or visit the CACHE website.