Tekton Career Training is a unique collaboration between local craft educators, industry leaders, local churches, and volunteer organizations who have a strong desire to give a hand up to our local international community as we respond to the shortage of skilled craftspeople in our region. Our long-term goal is to serve people in need who are confronted with insurmountable barriers to vocational training and career opportunities.
We are currently focused on helping refugees who have been relocated to a Clarkston, Georgia. The U.N. resettles about 2,500 refugees each year in Clarkston, a small city on the edge of Atlanta that TIME Magazine called “the most diverse square mile in the country.” At last count, there were over 145 ethnic groups living in Clarkston. Over sixty languages are spoken in our little square mile. That’s a new language every 100 square feet.
The per capita income in Clarkston is $17,000, about half of the published poverty level for our area. Clarkston could easily be called a collective of PTSD sufferers since over half of our citizens fled here from violence. Essentially these individuals leave behind everything to start a new life here. Most of the refugees who flee their country of origin are also leaving behind all relevant education, training, and experience. This means they are vulnerable to poverty and are in need of assistance.
67% of all former refugees in the U.S. live in low-income households (annual income of less than $40,320 for a family of four). At the same time, for every 5 skilled craftsmen leaving the construction field, only 1 is entering the workforce. In Georgia alone, there is an annual demand for over 1,000 electricians, not to mention welders, pipefitters, carpenters, etc. On average, these journeymen level craftsmen can earn $57,510 annually. We believe we can connect the people in need around us to these life-long career opportunities by providing the relevant trades training and leadership development.