About National PETE

NPETE’s impact is felt across the nation and beyond

NPETE by the Numbers

For over 30 years, NPETE has built a nationwide network of instructors and training programs that empower communities to respond to disasters, manage hazardous materials, and protect public health.

Advancing Environmental and Safety Education Nationwide

Serving across all 50 States, Tribal Nations, U.S. Territories and insular areas

Stay Connected with other EHS Instructors by Joining our Network

Strategic partnerships with academic institutions, community colleges, organizations, & nonprofit consortia

Kirk Laflin, Executive Director of National PETE

About the Organization

Established in 1993, the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (NPETE) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) education and training across the United States. As an affiliated council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), NPETE is the only council focused specifically on environmental, health and safety, and emergency response training.

For over three decades, NPETE has played a vital role in addressing the nation’s growing environmental, health, and safety training needs. These efforts are carried out through strong partnerships with community, tribal, and technical colleges, as well as non-profit training organizations, businesses, industries, and government agencies.

Our Mission

NPETE’s mission is to build and sustain a national infrastructure that strengthens the workforce through high-quality EHS and emergency response education and training. We are committed to promoting innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration in environmental technology education.

Our Goals

  • Provide leadership in environmental, health and safety education through strategic partnerships with educational institutions, business, industry, and government.
  • Promote the transfer of environmental health and safety technologies to educational settings and workforce development initiatives.
  • Foster the participation of underrepresented populations in environmental and technical careers.
  • Enhance U.S. economic development and international competitiveness through workforce readiness and training excellence.
  • Support curriculum development for the training of environmental hazardous materials technicians.

Our Network and Impact

NPETE represents a dynamic network of over 300 community college and private training providers across the country. Through this network, NPETE enhances access to cutting-edge training, promotes industry-relevant skills, and supports sustainable workforce development in environmental and safety sectors.

Our Experience

NPETE brings extensive experience in managing national and international grant programs. We have successfully collaborated with agencies including:

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
  • U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Department of Homeland Security / FEMA
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

These partnerships enable NPETE to lead and support impactful initiatives that respond to national needs in environmental protection, public health, emergency preparedness, and workforce development.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of our partners and funding agencies for your ongoing commitment to the organization. I would also like to thank all of the many key contributors who were involved in the creation and evolution of NPETE over the years. Without your innovative ideas, content expertise, dedication and tireless hard work in promoting the organization, none of our accomplishments would have been possible.

Sincerely,

Kirk Laflin, Executive Director of National PETE

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