PBC Joins Forces to Increase Minority and Women Participation in Construction

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                  Bryant Payne – Public Building Commission,
October 6, 2022                                                                                                                                                                                                (312) 742-0878

The Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) have joined forces to spur greater minority and female participation in construction jobs and vocational training in the City of Chicago and the greater Cook County area.

By working together, the PBC and The Partnership are assisting minority and female job candidates who have been traditionally underrepresented in the unionized skilled trades to contractors working on PBC’s construction or renovation projects.

In addition, The Partnership will assist career seekers with placement into trade unions and connect them to vocational training/resources. This will also serve to connect construction employers to a skilled talent pipeline. All interested candidates can apply for these hiring opportunities by completing the following form here.

“This ideal collaboration will afford The Partnership the opportunity to advance provisions included in PBC’s procurement documents and construction contracts. The PBC and The Partnership will assist those seeking career opportunities and participation within the skilled building trades, including office and field management support,” Carina E. Sanchez, PBC Executive Director said.

The PBC is uniquely structured to plan, design, construct, and renovate public facilities for Cook County and City of Chicago, while The Partnership is the designated workforce development administrative agency for the same geographic areas. The Partnership has historically administered several construction trade initiatives that meet industry demand for training and apprenticeship programs with public agencies and private contractors.

“The Partnership works to promote workforce development in the construction sector, connecting ready-to-hire employers with qualified job seekers, many of whom have been historically underrepresented in the trades,” said Patrick Combs, Interim Partnership CEO. This collaboration with the PBC allows us to further serve residents and employers in this growing sector, ripe with career opportunities.”

Sanchez went on to say, “Both organizations are aware of each other’s great work in leveraging public and private resources to connect employers to a skilled talent pipeline.  We look forward to working together.”

About the PBC: The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Lori Lightfoot serves as the PBC’s Chairman. Carina E. Sanchez serves as the Executive Director of the PBC. Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com. You can also follow the Public Building Commission of Chicago on TwitterFacebook, and LinkedIn