Hazardous waste technicians are not affected by a slowdown in the economy. Preparation Hazardous materials technicians must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Employers prefer applicants who have a two-year degree, certificate, or the equivalent in Environmental Material Technology or Environmental Technology. Background in math, physics, biology, and chemistry is helpful for most jobs. The Federal government requires a license to work as a hazardous material removal worker.
Most employers offer on the job training.
The training covers health hazards, personal safety and site safety. It also covers hazard identification and decontamination. Many times a worker will run into other hazards during a cleaning. This is why many workers take classes to learn about other hazards. Employers like to hire workers who have many licenses.