PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Golden Triangle Empowerment Center (GTEC) offers free hands-on job training and placement services for people wanting to work in Power City.
For anyone interested in a career as a pipefitter or electrician, this may be their ticket.
GTEC invited 12News inside their training facility to see how they're changing lives.
When you step inside a hidden warehouse in downtown Port Arthur, you'll find students learning the skills they need to get a job in Power City.
"I always loved working with my hands," said Nathan Hafford, a GTEC graduate from Jasper. "And I love that this was a new opportunity and plus it was free."
"All of my family has been in the industry my entire life. I have little brothers in the industry and I just figured, you know, it's my time to, I guess follow in their footsteps," said Trevor Parr, a GTEC graduate from Silsbee.
Parr and Hafford are on the path to the pipe fitting.
"When I left my job I knew it was gonna be a huge leap of faith and I thank God that I made it through because when I was leaving, I mean, I didn't have much as much money saved up as I like to," Hafford said.
GTEC offers introductory skills to their students. They come to class either weekdays or weeknights for 10 weeks.
"The program was educational, I've worked in the construction industry before just as an iron worker, but it got a little bit more in depth, here on the safety side of things. It was, it was really a lot about safety," Parr said.
Grants cover the cost of the training, so it's actually free for students.
Parr was working in hotel industry and was ready for a change. He couldn't believe it when he first heard about the opportunity from GTEC.
"I didn't because there's other classes. I saw that, you know, it wasn't free but it, it was, it was like $75. But I was like, man, I'm gonna buy and I can't afford that. And I came across this on Facebook and I was like, man, there's no way," said Parr.
Inside the main training center at GTEC, electricity can be felt in the air.
"I had perfect attendance. I was one of the only ones coming here every day," said Justin Duncan, a GTEC graduate from Port Arthur.
Duncan is now job hunting, after he graduated from GTEC.
"I'm tired of moving around. I wanna stay here and help the city," Duncan said.
He knows, with all of the industrial expansion projects, there are plenty of opportunities in Southeast Texas.
"Well, I learned about continuity about pretty much everything, about being an apprentice and pulling wire and different color coding and codes of a licensing electrician," said Duncan.
Duncan was also surprised that the classes are free.
"I was surprised it was free...I didn't have to pay anything. It was, it was a nice thing. It was a good calling from God," he said.
There are several classes starting within the next few weeks:
- The nighttime Intro Pipe class starts on October 14
- The nighttime Intro Electrical class starts on October 25
- The daytime Intro Electrical class starts on October 28
"It's been a good journey. I've learned a lot. We have great instructors and directors and, this is a good class. It's a good class," said Robyn Relford George, a GTEC student from Beaumont.
George was inspired to take the classes because of her son.
"My son actually graduated two months ago from here and he was like, mama, you can do it. So I did it," she said.
George has big plans for her future.
"I want to join the IBW, to get my electrical license there and then go to go into construction," said George.
The instructors are experienced professionals with a passion for the topics they're teaching.
"I have a passion for electrical. I've retired as, I'm a retired electrician," said Dalton Antoine, an instructor at GTEC.
Antoine, who's helping change lives, is actually a volunteer.
"I have about 39 years of experience with electrical. Been in the plants for over 46 years before I retired. And then what they were doing here at this particular group, they were servicing the underprivileged community," said Antoine.
Antoine has been teaching at GTEC for the past three months. He's a big believer, in transformation.
"It's life changing to be able to get the skills and to be able to go into the different uh facets of the refining and, petrochemical and have a skill, you know, some of the, I think right now a general electrician is making $32 an hour. That's a pretty good living today," Antoine told 12News.
Parr and Hafford both already have jobs lined up. They're proof that companies building new facilities in Southeast Texas are hiring local.
"I am… and I'm very happy to be," Hafford said.
"If you want to do it, go for it, you know, this school is a great place to get started," said Parr. "This gets you that foot in the door because this gets you to where, you know, you're not gonna start off as just a laborer. You'll start off as a pipe helper, which is just a little, you know, little step higher and, you know, better pay. And you learned on the job."
They're also proof that these skills are in high demand.
The next group of students graduate on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Many are already meeting with companies who are interested in hiring them.
You can learn more about GTEC's industrial career training programs on their website.