Arkansas Environmental Training Academy
The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy (AETA) is a training division of Southern Arkansas University Tech and is the designated Environmental Training Center for the State of Arkansas. The Academy’s mission is to provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the fields of public health, worker safety, water treatment, wastewater treatment, backflow prevention, and solid waste management. Students utilizing the Academy’s training receive the skills necessary to protect the state’s natural resources, environment, and ensure the public health and welfare of the citizens of State of Arkansas.
The Academy provides quality training and educational programs to aid the management and operating staff of municipal and industrial facilities in meeting state and federal licensing and certification requirements. Within its resources, the Academy accomplishes its mission through comprehensive certification and continuing education programs, statewide technical assistance programs, administrative and student services, and professional development for faculty and staff. The Academy provides training on the SAU Tech Campus, at training locations statewide, and by Internet delivery.
The AETA is made up of Five Divisions:
- Water – AETA Water training is tied directly to the Arkansas Department of Health Division of Engineering Water Operator Licensing Program. The AETA teaches three levels of Water Treatment (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced), three levels of Water Distribution (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced), and two levels of Water Math (Basic and Applied).
- Wastewater - AETA Wastewater training is tied directly to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Operator Licensing Program. The AETA teaches four levels of Municipal Wastewater Treatment (Class I, II, III and IV) and two levels of Industrial Wastewater Treatment (Basic and Advanced).
- Solid Waste – AETA Solid Waste training is tied directly to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Solid Waste Operator Licensing Program. The AETA teaches four levels of Solid Waste Management (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Annual 6-hour Update).
- Backflow – AETA Backflow training is tied to the Arkansas Department of Health Protective Health Codes (Plumbing) and Engineering Divisions. The AETA teaches four backflow certification courses (Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, Backflow Prevention Assembly Repair, Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Recertification, and Cross-Connection Control Program Specialists).
- Environmental Health & Safety – The AETA provides environmental health & safety training for municipalities and industries statewide. The AETA is a Host Training Organization for the TEEX OSHA Training Institute Education Center. AETA staff is authorized to provide training by OSHA, US DOT, the Hazardous Materials and Training Research Institute, and is a member of the national Partnership for Environmental Technology Education and the Community College Consortium for Health and Safety Training.