Position Summary

The Apprenticeship Manager is responsible for coordinating strategies, partnerships, and programs that create, expand and strengthen opportunities for apprenticeship in diverse industries throughout the Greater New Orleans and surrounding parishes. The Apprenticeship Manager will create and oversee a portfolio of apprenticeship programs, coordinating programmatic activities with these industry partners. The Apprenticeship Manager will also assist the AVP of Professional and Continuing Education in designing and realizing broader strategic goals, such as incubating pilot programs and strengthening connections with industry partners.

The Apprenticeship Manager will work in close collaboration with internal teams including the complementary Immersion Programs Manager as well as a wide variety of external stakeholders, including employers and industry advisory councils, high schools and community colleges, and colleagues throughout Louisiana including but not limited to Louisiana Workforce Commission, LED FastStart, Greater New Orleans, Inc., New Orleans Business Alliance and related government and economic development agencies.

Responsibilities

Apprenticeship Development and Management

• Work closely with employers in the creation of new apprenticeship programs and subsequent implementation of apprenticeship programs
• Develop the apprentice strategy to meet the needs of industry partners and build the apprenticeship pipeline
• Work closely with apprentice providers to establish a memorandum of understanding and partner with the provider to ensure that the needs are met
• Establish novel ways to maximize the apprenticeship pipeline and ensure effective spending
• Cultivate a strategy for recruitment, assessment, development and retention throughout the apprentice lifecycle
• Collect and analyze program and participant data
• Monitor progress on programs to ensure milestones and outcomes are met
• Promote outreach and retention efforts to ensure a quality cohort of apprentices that meet the needs of industry partners
• Support employers, sponsors, and other key partners with challenges encountered with apprenticeship programs and remediate these challenges and put proactive solutions in place for future cycles
• Report successes and challenges to internal and external stakeholders

Strategic Initiatives

• Work with AVP of Professional and Continuing Education to develop and implement local and regional apprenticeship plans
• Identify opportunities for apprenticeship innovation and expansion; forge relationships with key stakeholders in targeted industries
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with businesses, industry groups, and other partners to explore and incubate new apprenticeship opportunities

Program Research/Evaluation and Grant Management

• Develop and manage placements to ensure effective learning
• Advise potential apprentices to cultivate positive experiences for apprentices as well as industry partners
• Identify lessons learned through evaluation findings and make recommendations regarding program design
• Gather and share local and national best practices in apprenticeship programs
• Attend conferences and meetings related to apprenticeships
• Gather background information about apprenticeship grants
• Draft grant proposals and reports on key projects
• Field inquiries from companies and organizations seeking to partner on apprenticeship opportunities

Required Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. from accredited higher education institution or commensurate competency-based learning experiences
• Ability to think strategically and execute new ideas in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently as well as in small interdisciplinary teams
• Ability to work with industry partners and governmental and economic development agencies
• Ability to cultivate relationships and effectively collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Excellent project management skills
• Team Player with a track record of leading and inspiring others
• Ability to travel locally and regionally
• Additional duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications

• Experience creating apprenticeship programs across different industry sectors
• Program development and management experience working with diverse stakeholders

Closing Date

Position will remain open until filled.