Our Story
It all started in when Chris tried to hire more plumbers for his plumbing service company. Sharing his frustrations with finding AND training new plumbing professionals with Tim, his plumbing supply partner, the two of them agreed something new had to be done to address the shortage of skilled trades professionals in their little part of the world - Northeast Georgia. They decided a trade education center should be the next step. However, Chris and Tim were too busy to make it a reality.
2021
Our Mission
To Educate, Grow, and Maintain a
Top-Tier Workforce in order to ensure
a successful future for our members,
local businesses, and residents.
2022
So, the idea sat dormant for about a year until Chris was reacquainted with an old friend, Keith, who was a recovering public school teacher trying to start a local magazine. A couple of months later, Chris shared the vision of a trade education center with Keith and knew his background in education was the missing piece he and Tim needed to really make a go of it.
Our Vision
Train the next generation of trades professionals who will impact the next 30-50 years of the plumbing industry:
“Educate Through Experience”
2023
Chris, Tim, and Keith started making presentations to various industry members to gain support and funding to start Trades Education Center. They decided it would operate through the TEC Guild, a membership-based model where participants gain access to hands-on training opportunities, industry partnerships, and career pathways. The first group of participants, named Project 8, would start in the Fall of 2023 with eight aspiring plumbers and serve as our case study, helping us fine-tune the training for our first paid training of participants in 2024. In December, a 2-year lease was signed for TEC to have a space of its own near Athens, GA in a former elementary school.
Our Goal
Expand offerings to include other skilled trades each year for the next 5-10 years to further support industry needs.
2024
The year started with a bang as in hammers, chisels, and all sorts of tools as the founders worked to make the new home for Trades Education Center not only a place where members can engage in hands-on plumbing training opportunities, but also a showcase for those in the industry to share how skilled trades support our community and society at large. In September, we welcomed our first official group of participants and they put together their own bathroom group in our newly constructed "Rough-In Room." By November, they were our first graduates!
Winter provided a time to evaluate, adjust, and improve our Project 8 training opportunity for the Spring. February brought 6 new participants who experienced an even better training where each one graduated having put together and tested their own individual bathroom group. Summer provided time to make more connections in the community and the industry to garner greater support as well as more possible employers for our members. The Rough-In Room was renovated to make space for EIGHT participants so we could live up to the name "Project 8."
2025
After graduating EIGHT participants in November 2025, refocused efforts are on expanding offerings into electrical for Spring 2027. With Spring & Summer 2026 having full participation, the big consideration is making sure the current facility is utilized to the fullest.
2026
Meet the Three Guys
Chris Griffin
Founder - Lead Tradesman
Born with a pipe wrench in his hands, Chris learned the ins and outs of the plumbing industry and many skilled trades at the feet of his father, Gregg, and many other tradesmen over the last 30+ years. Running a plumbing service with his father the past 6 years, he has seen the growing need for not only plumbers, but all skilled trades. With a mind and hands that never stop moving, Chris hopes to keep the skilled trades moving forward to help our families, communities and nation be a continued success.
Chairman - Industry Expert
Though he makes running a plumbing supply house look easy, Tim did his time working in the trenches before moving into the warehouse. The son of a plumber, he was not allowed to work an "easy" job for his father, but had to start work on his own to learn the value of hard work and professionalism. Tim brings the knowledge and experience of a service contractor and a supplier to the world of training the next generation of skilled tradesmen, knowing the whole industry is in need of hardworking professionals.
Keith Dorton
Superintendent - Lead Educator
Coming from a long line of largely unsuccessful DIYers, Keith learned early on that he was more suited to academics than "hands-on" work. He worked as a graphic designer and art director in magazine publishing before starting his other calling in education. After 14 years of teaching middle school students, Keith was ready to get back into graphic design when Chris approached him about TEC. Jumping at the chance to make a real difference in training, he hopes to help learners become earners in the skilled trades.