Dependable Profiles: Banny Javed

Imagine having the only life you ever knew ripped away from you, having to start over in a foreign land, surrounded by an unfamiliar language.

How would you feel? Where would you start?

Now imagine yourself, as a 12-year-old middle schooler, and put yourself in that same scenario. That’s where Banny Javed found himself in 2010.

 

Banny was born in the ethnically and geographically diverse country of Pakistan, cradled between Afghanistan and India. He is the second of four children in a close-knit family that includes his parents and uncle.

Devoted to the Christian faith, His dad was a pastor—a difficult profession in a country that is said to have been “created in the name of Islam.” But life was good, as Banny remembers it. The family remained devoted, despite frequent opposition.

One day, however, a single event changed the course of their lives forever.

Banny’s dad became involved in a publicly televised debate with Muslims, speaking out against their acts, and standing up for the rights of fellow Pakistanis. Banny recalls, “The Muslims didn’t appreciate him speaking out his mind about what was right and wrong.”

Death threats began. Fearing for his life, Banny’s dad applied for safe refuge in America, and was quickly approved. Soon after, the rest of the family followed to begin their new life together in New Jersey.

 

But this was no fairy tale. Confronted with a drastically different environment, and coupled with a language barrier, the family struggled to make ends meet. Banny, just a boyish pre-teen, struggled with the sudden and extreme transition.

“It was difficult. Everything changed—within a day’s time everything around me was totally different.”

The family grappled for normalcy in New Jersey, staying put for three years before trying their luck in Chicago. Eventually they landed in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

But despite the change in scenery, their financial situation remained the same: problematic. Banny’s parents were unequipped with education and unable to secure decent employment. Isolated, with no family nearby to help, they fought to keep food on the table.

 

Despite his struggles at home, Banny flourished at school. And the summer before his senior year, he began to search for a job that would allow him to help his family financially.

A fellow church member told Banny about a local staffing agency that had helped him find work at a local warehouse—Amplio. Chris and the team quickly helped Banny put in an application at Engent, a microelectronics developer and manufacturer located in Norcross.

“I got a call within a week or so. It was a good feeling, because [I knew this was a] good job,” Banny remembers.

He started as a 3^rd shift warehouse worker, but didn’t remain in the position long. His strong work ethic and problem-solving skills earned him a promotion within the first year.

Now, as a Documentation Specialist, Banny gets to work side by side with engineers to produce new innovations and technologies. His clear, fluent English and natural curiosity are a great benefit as he works with clients to develop quality products to fit their needs. His team works on a broad span of projects from radar systems for the military, to the headlights on Teslas.

 

Banny graduated high school this past spring. Because of Engent, he is inspired and motivated to pursue a degree in engineering at Gwinnett Tech. In addition to his full-time work schedule, he is currently taking a 3-course load, totaling 10+ hours a week.

Despite these applaudable achievements, he says he is most satisfied by the fact that the Engent team is so proud of him. But not only proud of him, excited for him and his future in engineering. Many have come alongside, mentoring Banny and giving him a better perspective on the many opportunities available in the engineering field.

 

Life gave Banny some serious hurdles, but he, like many refugees, is an overcomer. Banny still lives at home with his family whom he is now able to help with the income he makes. He raves about his experience with Amplio, which helped shape who he is today, and shares about it with other refugees.

When asked what is the one thing he wants people to know about the refugee community, he replied, “There are a lot of hard workers, but not enough opportunity.”

 

For Banny, one door opened up a bright and optimistic future.

Could your business be the opportunity a refugee needs to provide for their family, learn new and valuable skills, or achieve a dream?

We at Amplio Recruiting would love to partner with you to be your labor shortage solution—staffing your company with the talented and dependable refugee workforce.

Visit our website at www.ampliorecruiting.com to learn more and join dozens of other companies benefitting from our staffing services.