Close the left navigation

October 22-24, 2024
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Banner for the WTP Fall 2024 Award Recipient Meeting and Workshop


Purpose of the Award Recipient Meeting

The semi-annual WTP Award Recipient Meeting brings award recipients together to provide program updates, exchange information regarding training, and discover new areas of interest.

Purpose and Scope of the Workshop 

This workshop involved discussions about specific hazards in high-risk industries and new issues that are on the horizon with alternative energy sources. Safety issues and training approaches for workers in manufacturing, food processing, and the maritime industries were discussed in more detail. Workshop participants shared successes and challenges of partnerships with higher education (e.g., community colleges and historically Black colleges and universities) and small businesses to build skills and capacity in the workforce. Participants also discussed approaches needed to ensure occupational safety and equity for hardly reached workers, such as gig/temp workers, migrant workers, and limited English-speaking audiences.
Workshop Objectives

  • Identify training approaches and opportunities as they relate to emerging issues, such as alternative energy sources, and high-risk or rapidly evolving industries.
  • Discuss the benefit of strategic partnerships with education (e.g., community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, other universities) and small businesses for workforce development.
  • Discuss challenges and opportunities for training hardly reached workers in high-risk or evolving industries (e.g., migrant workers, temp workers, etc.)

Agendas

Award Recipient Meeting Agenda (1MB)

Workshop Agenda (624KB)

Presentations

WTP Award Recipient Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, October 22, 2024

TimeTopic
11:00 a.m. - 1;00 p.m.Registration
1:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Welcome (1MB)

  • Ashley Vargas, Ph.D., Deputy Director, NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training
1:15 - 2:00 p.m.

NIEHS Update (6MB)

  • Sharon D. Beard, Kathy Ahlmark, Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H., Gary Johnson, and Amelia (Mia) Pearson, NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP)
2:00 - 2:15 p.m.

National Clearinghouse Update (7MB)

  • Deborah Weinstock, National Clearinghouse/MDB, Inc. 
2:15 - 2:30 p.m.Break
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Legislative Update

  • April Bennett, NIEHS Office of the Director
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Business Official Meeting (7MB)

  • Lisa Edwards, NIEHS Grants Management Branch
  • Jenny Greer, NIEHS Grants Management Branch
3:45 - 4:00 p.m.Break
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions
Program Official Meeting
Hazardous Waste Worker Training/Environmental Career Worker Training/HAZMAT Disaster Preparedness Training

  • Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H., NIEHS WTP
  • Kathy Ahlmark, NIEHS WTP
  • Amelia (Mia) Pearson, NIEHS WTP

NIEHS/Department of Energy Program Meeting

  • Sharon D. Beard, NIEHS WTP
  • Gary Johnson, NIEHS WTP
  • Ted Giltz, National Clearinghouse
5:00 p.m.Adjourn
5:30 p.m.Group Dinner

Workshop: Identifying Health and Safety Training Approaches for Emerging Issues and High-Risk Industries
Day 1: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

TimeTopic
8:00 a.m.Registration
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Welcome 

  • Sharon D. Beard, Director, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP)
  • Ashley Vargas, Ph.D., Deputy Director, NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training
9:15 - 9:30 a.m. Housekeeping and Instructions
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 

Keynote Address: Worker Training and Education in an Era of Changing Hazards, Standards, and Recommendations

  • Linda Rae Murray, M.D., University of Illinois Chicago
10:15 - 10:35 a.m. Bingo Networking Activity
10:35 - 11:35 a.m.

Panel: Addressing Hazards in High-Risk or Rapidly Evolving Industries
MODERATOR: Kathy Ahlmark, NIEHS WTP 

11:35 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Panel: Channeling Higher Education to Address Worker Training
MODERATOR: Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H., NIEHS WTP

2:00 - 2:05 p.m.

Charge to Breakout Rooms

  • Allison Weingarten, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training
2:05 - 2:15 p.m.Move to Breakout Rooms
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Breakout Rooms Activity

BREAKOUT 1: High-Risk Industries: Hazards in Engineered Stone and Cannabis Industries

BREAKOUT 2: Channeling Higher Education to Address Worker Training

BREAKOUT 3: High-Risk Industries: Avian Flu and Biohazards for Dairy and Poultry Workers

3:30 - 3:45 p.m.Return to Main Room
3:45 - 4:45 p.m.

Panel: Training for Hardly Reached Workers

MODERATOR: Amelia Pearson, NIEHS WTP

4:45 - 5:00 p.m. Wrap-up and Adjourn

Day 2: Thursday, October 24, 2024

TimeTopic
8:00 a.m.Registration
9:00 - 9:05 a.m. 

Welcome Back

  • Sharon D. Beard, Director, NIEHS WTP
9:05 - 9:50 a.m. 

Keynote Address: Ensuring Health, Justice, and Safety for Temp and Migrant Workers (3MB)

  • Nadia Marin-Molina, J.D., National Day Laborer Organizing Network
9:50 - 11:00 a.m.

Panel: Meeting Needs in Nuclear Facilities and Alternative or Renewable Energy

MODERATOR: Gary Johnson, Jr., NIEHS WTP

11:00 - 11:05 a.m.

Charge to Breakout Rooms

  • Allison Weingarten, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training
11:05 - 11:20 a.m.Move to Breakout Rooms
11:20 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.

Breakout Rooms Activity

BREAKOUT 1: Alternative and Renewable Energy

BREAKOUT 2: Training for Hardly Reached Workers

BREAKOUT 3: Nuclear Facilities and DOE

12:25 - 12:40 p.m.Return to Main Room
12:40 - 1:00 p.m.Report Backs, Lessons Learned, and Takeaways
1:00 p.m.Wrap-up and Adjourn