Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Workforce (BREW) Program

A Workforce Development Initiative for Environmental Careers in San Diego 

The Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Workforce (BREW) program is an EPA-funded job training initiative designed to prepare San Diego residents for careers in the environmental and brownfields industry. The program, led by San Diego State University (SDSU) and SDSU’s Global Campus, focuses on creating accessible, high-quality career pathways for skilled workforce in environmental remediation, construction, restoration, waste/water treatment and management, and related environmental sectors. 

BREW, in collaboration with SDSU’s Global Campus, is launching the Professional Certificate in Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Site Services. This certificate program is designed to train San Diego residents for environmental and brownfields jobs. Recent labor market data suggest a growing demand for environmental field technicians in the region and across the State, with growth opportunities for careers in environmental positions.

BREW addresses both challenges and opportunities by:

• Training San Diego residents for environmental jobs
• Providing industry-recognized federal certifications
• Building a locally based workforce to support environmental cleanup and redevelopment
• Creating pathways to long-term careers in environmental science, planning, and engineering

Participants will gain skills aligned with real-world job functions such as environmental sampling, site assessments, hazardous materials handling, and field safety. The program also integrates career readiness training, employer connections, and job placement support.

The BREW program combines federal certifications with a hands-on, career-focused, real-world curriculum developed by SDSU and industry partners. Participants complete 4 Federal Certifications (62 hours total) and 6 Workforce Training Courses (48 hours total) through a mix of in-person and hybrid instruction. Through this curriculum, participants gain field-ready professional and  technical skills. 

Eligibility

The program is open to all San Diego residents (18 and older) who have a high school diploma or GED, and are fluent in written and spoken English. Scholarships (with full tuition and stipends) are available for eligible applicants who reside in Barrio  Logan, Logan Heights, South Crest, San Ysidro, National City, Imperial Beach, and Chula Vista and are unemployed, underemployed, or veterans. BREW scholarship recipients are also eligible to receive four federally-certified training courses including: 40-hour HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety, 4-Hour Confined Space Entry, and 8-hour First Aid/CPR. To apply for a BREW scholarship, [link coming soon]. For all other applicants, [link coming soon]. 

Curriculum Overview 

Federal Certifications offered 

These certifications prepare participants for immediate employment in environmental and construction-related fields:

• 40-hour HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response)
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety
• 4-Hour Confined Space Entry Certification
• 8-hour First Aid / CPR

For inquiries regarding the federal certifications, please contact [email protected].

Courses offered through Global Campus’ Professional Certificate in Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Site Services

• Pollution to Possibility: Communities in Transition
  Introduction to brownfield identification, assessment, remediation, and monitoring — with emphasis on environmental health, pollution burdens, community risk, equitable development, and career pathways in land reuse.
• Environmental Sampling & Monitoring
  Fundamentals of environmental sampling — including soil, water, and air collection methods, field instrumentation, EPA/ASTM standards, chain of custody, health and safety plans, and QAPPs.
• Brownfield Data Collection & Analysis
  Environmental data interpretation, mapping, and visualization — covering descriptive data analysis, common databases (EnviroStor, GeoTracker, CalEnviroScreen), Excel, AI tools, and basic GIS mapping.
• Community Engagement & Project Coordination
  Community engagement strategies and brownfield project coordination — including stakeholder communication, contractor and regulatory relationships, site logistics, adaptive fieldwork, and equitable outreach best practices.
• Brownfield Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Standards
  Overview of federal and state environmental law — including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water/Air Acts, CEQA, and NEPA — with focus on liability, state cleanup programs, and local permitting for brownfield redevelopment.
• Brownfields, Contaminants, & Hazardous Materials Handling
  Brownfield contaminants, hazardous materials, and worker safety — covering exposure pathways, asbestos and lead handling, HAZWOPER, PPE, and IDW disposal.

For inquiries regarding Global Campus offerings, please contact TBA.