Minority Recruitment and Employment Services

Preferred Systems, Inc. provides services, which increase the likelihood of minorities, low-income and at risk individuals to obtain and hold family sustaining jobs within the Building Trades Industry.

Preferred Systems, Inc. has worked with the Great Lakes Building and Construction Trade Council over the past eight, (8) years, having been involved with the 130 million dollar building project at the Erie County Convention Center/Hotel and other building construction projects in Northwestern Pennsylvania. We are currently involved with the 40 million dollar Tullio Convention Center Project.  Our responsibilities included working with the Great Lakes Building and Construction Trade Council, the General Project Manager, Barton Malow and the various contractors in the recruitment, assessment and placement of qualified women and minorities to become members of the different building trade unions to work on the Convention Center/Hotel project as well as others.

As was reported in an August 2007 Erie Times News series concerning the construction of the Convention Center, we had a goal of ten percent minority participation on this project.  We exceeded this goal, having placed in excess of twelve percent on the Convention Center project and thirteen percent on the Hotel and Parking Ramp project.  We were able to achieve this goal by establishing on-going relationships with the Great Lakes Building and Construction Trade Council, community representatives of the Erie Weed and Seed Program, Neighborhood Watch programs, minority religious leaders, social services agencies that target minority populations.  We also advertised through various avenues that target specific minority populations.

Our relationship with the Building Trades Unions is exceptional.  We provide assessments for all the individuals who are interested in taking the apprenticeship

test to help determine which trade for which they have the best aptitude.  For those individuals who need specific remedial help with math and GED preparation we refer them to community services that provide these services. In addition, for those individuals in need of a valid driver’s license we work with Penn DOT to secure the required drivers licenses whenever possible.

Recruitment efforts include various Job Fairs, The Multi-cultural Centers, ESD Adult Learning Centers, Learning Centers, Youth Programs, Team PA Career Link, other Community Base Organizations and faith based organizations and the County Department of Health & Human Services.

Our program provides one on one observation thru interviews and client assessments and testing and intake as a starting point for each participant.  This provides basic information from the beginning to develop an educational and employment plan.  We work with the individual through employment and follow-up after employment placement.