CAREER AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FAIR HOSTED TO PREPARE CHICAGOANS FOR OBAMA CENTER JOBS

The Lakeside Alliance recently hosted a Career Training and Opportunities Fair to connect Chicagoans with construction jobs and training resources. Photo Credit: The Obama Foundation
The Lakeside Alliance recently hosted a Career Training and Opportunities Fair to connect Chicagoans with construction jobs and training resources. Photo Credit: The Obama Foundation

Career And Training Opportunities Fair Hosted To Prepare Chicagoans For Obama Center Jobs

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Lakeside Alliance, the construction manager of the future Obama Presidential Center, recently hosted a Career Training and Opportunities Fair at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., to connect Chicagoans with construction jobs and training resources.

Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture between Powers & Sons Construction

Company, UJAMAA Construction Inc., Brown & Momen, Inc., Safeway Construction Company, and Turner Construction Company. These five firms provide a team of experienced specialists who bring the most innovative solutions to the construction industry, according to the Lakeside Alliance website.

“Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture made up of 5 construction companies here in Chicago. Our team came together to change the paradigm a little bit about how construction teams and construction managers go after work here in Chicago and we came around the table to actually go after the building of the Obama Presidential Center,” said Pamyla Brown, director of community and citizenship for Lakeside Alliance.

The goal of the Career And Training Opportunities Fair was to get the community prepared for the construction jobs that will be available with the coming of the Obama Presidential Center. The event featured workforce development agencies, apprenticeship program representatives, training organizations, and several other agencies that offer supportive services to provide attendees with information about their programs.

“We wanted to make certain that we were using the high visibility of the building of the Obama Presidential center to leverage all of our resources across the city and across the area to make sure that individuals who may want to work on the Obama Presidential Center can get connected to the right training organizations,” said Brown.

Lakeside Alliance also had staff members at the event to help participants fill out online inquiry forms to receive updates about career opportunities and events as the construction of the Obama Presidential Center progresses.

“Having a career in construction is one of my proudest moments. I found myself in the position to earn while I learn, which has given me the opportunity to continue to give my children the life they deserve. I’ve met great people along the way and have worked in a number of different job conditions. Everyday is nothing short of grand,” said Jamillah Muhammad, a Local 134 Electrician and delegate for the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Muhammed is a single mother of two who previously held three jobs prior to becoming an electrician. She said that the best part about these kinds of jobs is that anyone, with a little bit of training, can do it.

“I think that events like this provide individuals with the opportunity to tap into what is available here at the Obama Presidential Center but also with any of the future projects that are coming to our areas. Once you’ve learned a skilled trade you’ve learned it and those skills are portable and can be taken everywhere,” said Brown.

For more information about opportunities with the Lakeside Alliance visit www. lakesidealliance.com.

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