One of SEON’s goals is to help build a more diversified workforce in the building trades, by focusing on training and employing more non-traditional workers. We are excited to share that one of the members of our network, Duane Case, who is a professional home builder in Bellows Falls, has been temporarily mentoring and employing an Afghan refugee who has recently relocated to the Brattleboro Area. One of Duane’s efforts has been to help this man apply his construction experience to a market new to him while preparing for the requirements of high performance residential construction. According to Duane his apprentice is rapidly mastering the prerequisite skills.
The project Duane and his apprentice have been working on, an apartment in Jamaica, VT, is owned and managed by Ari Jackson of Roots Property Management. Ari approved increased financial support for Duane to be able to hire and begin to train a refugee and Kelly Michaelson, also of Roots Property Management, has stated that this has been a rewarding project to be part of.
The apprentice is currently working another temporary job for another local employer, and we as a community hope to help find long-term employment in construction for our new neighbor.
Photo Credit: Kyle Glenn