Petersen Aluminum’s John Palesny Shares Career Advice At Job Readiness Event

Joel Avila, volunteer and Young Professionals Board member (left) and guests at the job readiness course enjoyed the presentation about careers in the metals industry given by John Palesny, president of Petersen Aluminum Corp. (second from left).

Elk Grove Village, IL - Guests at the Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ shelter in Chicago received career advice and job search tips in August when John Palesny, president of Petersen Aluminum Corp. in Elk Grove Village, Ill., gave a presentation during the organization’s job readiness course.

In addition to employment advice, Palesny shared the background of the metals industry as well as a list of qualities manufacturers look for when considering candidates for employment. "The guests at the shelter were receptive to the advice I was sharing with them. They asked good questions and were really engaged. I enjoyed the experience and was happy to help," Palesny said. The mission of the job readiness course was to equip shelter guests with the skills they need to be successful in their pursuit of employment.

Volunteer and member of the Breakthrough Young Professionals Board Ashley DeVecht said the evening was a success. “Shelter guests were receptive to John and we had a lively Q&A session after he was finished making his presentation. Many of the guests were eager to share their experience with the metals industry. Some had worked for garage door manufacturers or with a company that made paint cans. Many were certified to drive a fork lift, too. John left them with an inquisitive outlook toward the metals industry and with confidence in their skill sets and job experience. That is the most valuable outcome of John’s talk - confidence.”

Breakthrough partners with those affected by poverty on Chicago's west side, and serves Chicago's men, women and children in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. Breakthrough has been working for 20 years to bring forward what’s positive about the East Garfield Park neighborhood and eliminate its struggle against the cycle of poverty. Services include a men's shelter, women's shelter, after-school program, preschool-age program, Fresh Market neighborhood food pantry, mentor-based youth running club and much more.

Each year, Breakthrough...

• serves 70,000 meals to the homeless;

• provides 300 homeless men and women with 24/7 shelter and free health care;

• connects 580 youth to a support network that provides opportunity;

• supplies 1,100 families with groceries and fresh produce.

For more information visit www.breakthrough.org.

About Petersen

Petersen, a Carlisle company, manufactures PAC-CLAD architectural metal cladding systems in multiple gauges of steel and aluminum. PAC-CLAD products include wall panel systems, standing seam roof panel systems, vented and solid soffit panels, perforated metal, coil and flat sheet, composite panels, column covers, plus fascia and coping. All are available in a Kynar-based 70% PVDF Fluropon coating in 50 standard colors plus simulated finishes that include a 35-year finish warranty. Most colors meet LEED requirements and are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council. Custom colors and weathertightness warranties are offered. BIM and CAD documents are available for most products. Founded in 1965, Petersen’s facilities are located in Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Arizona and Washington. For information on the complete line of Petersen’s PAC-CLAD metal products, call 800-PAC-CLAD, visit www.pac-clad.com or write to info@pac-clad.com.