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A first-of-its-kind industry collaboration to support the growth for minority-and women-owned businesses
Pepper Construction is proud to be a partner in the launch of HIRE360, a first-of-its-kind industry collaboration to provide sustainable trade-focused career opportunities for Chicago-area residents and support women- and minority-owned businesses across the region.
HIRE360, a unique partnership among Chicago’s largest developers, general contractors, labor unions and the United Way, will expand employment opportunities through recruiting, training and placement assistance; invest capital in helping minority- and women-owned businesses grow and thrive; connect area youth, underrepresented populations and local residents with job inspiration and opportunities; and model socially responsible hiring and supply chain accountability in Chicago and beyond. By upgrading the skills of the currently employed, HIRE360 will provide entrée to the trades for youth and gainful employment for underrepresented populations. It is the first step in an important chain of events that ultimately strengthens communities.
"For years, leaders across the construction industry have developed individual approaches to expanding workforce diversity. When Ken Egidi, then-Chairman of the Chicagoland AGC, suggested we unify our industry's efforts behind this important initiative, I appreciated how closely it aligned with the organization's mission to serve as one voice for the construction industry," said Dan McLaughlin, Past Executive Director of the Chicagoland AGC. "Hire360 was born from this vision, and we are excited about the potential it has to improve the full spectrum of the workforce development pipeline, providing underrepresented communities the training, access and ecosystem support necessary to thrive."
"This is an incredibly important issue for me personally," said Ken Egidi, President of Pepper Construction Group. "Construction is an extremely rewarding profession offering the opportunity to build meaningful relationships while shaping the skyline of the communities we serve. Hire360 puts that opportunity within reach for more people while investing in their long-term success."
Through specialized services, localized mentorship and direct investment, HIRE360 will strengthen the participation of underrepresented populations in the Chicago area. It will also mentor and grow MBE and WBE firms and create a supply chain of partners that are accountable to higher participation standards.
Read more about HIRE360 at Chicagoland AGC or visit www.HIRE360Chicago.com. If you would like to learn more about Pepper's diversity and inclusion initiatives, please visit https://www.pepperconstruction.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion or contact Laura Patterson at 312-649-7647.
The Chicagoland AGC is the leading trade association serving the Chicagoland commercial construction industry. In January 2018, the Chicagoland AGC formed as the result of a merger between the former Builders Association and the Fox Valley AGC. The merged Association serves as an even stronger voice for the industry. Chicagoland AGC members include the leading contractors and suppliers in the Chicago area. Our general contractor members range from large, national firms to smaller, specialized companies and build private and public projects worth more than $11 billion annually. You can learn more about the Chicagoland AGC at www.chicagolandagc.org.
Now in their fourth generation of family leadership, Pepper Construction Group serves clients across the country with comprehensive teams in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. Pepper believes that high-performing buildings are the future of the construction industry. By integrating their high-performance expertise into the company’s operational process and raising awareness about the significant benefits high performance construction brings, Pepper is transforming the future. Ranked by ENR magazine as one of the top builders of sustainable projects in the nation, Pepper serves clients in a variety of markets such as healthcare, education, manufacturing and light industrial, data centers, entertainment, hospitality and interiors, among others. Pepper’s Integrated Construction Services (ICS) team represents some of the most advanced thought leadership in our industry—investigating new technologies, evaluating new methodologies and integrating innovative solutions in the field. Some of the firm's current work includes The 1060 Project at Wrigley Field, Starbuck's Reserve Roastery Chicago, Columbia College Student Center, St. Rita Square Senior Living Community and St. Rita Church and the Academic and Residential Complex at UIC. For more information, please visit www.pepperconstruction.com
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