Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at POWERCORPSPHL

Position Overview

The Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager is responsible for the administration of the Skilled Trades Academy. This includes planning, scheduling, recruitment, training, oversight, assessment documentation, graduation, and work transitions. This role will also support the cultivation of employer partnerships, both internship host sites and companies seeking permanent employees.

The Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager will work collaboratively with PowerCorpsPHL departments to recruit, enroll, and onboard trainees, reduce or remove barriers to employment, and support the transition of trainees through PowerCorpsPHL program and into internships, apprenticeships, jobs, and post-secondary education programs. The Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager will also work collaboratively with external training providers to identify and solve problems and to provide supervision and professional development to trainees. The Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager reports to the Employment Partnerships Lead.

The Skilled Trades Academy is designed to prepare trainees for success in electrical, HVAC, and connected trades. Training includes construction site safety, home repair, facilities maintenance and industrial maintenance, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems. Graduates are prepared for entry-level career-track opportunities in HVAC, electrical, electronics, industrial maintenance and general construction trades.

Essential Functions

The Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager will administer the Skilled Trades Academy by:

• Participating in the initial stages of program planning, including design and development, and identifying stakeholders.
• Supporting the recruitment, enrollment, and onboarding of trainees from the general public or other PowerCorpsPHL programs, including document procurement, scheduling phone screenings and interviews, administering pre-program assessments, and providing orientations.
• Participating in program planning, such as translating project outlines into detailed cohort timelines, scheduling training activities, workshops, fairs, trips, and other career exposure and enrichment activities, as well as major program events, such as orientation and graduation.
• Executing daily operations, including identifying and solving problems, setting and adhering to project due dates and deadlines, monitoring progress of program and program trainees, ensuring quality of work readiness and technical training, and effectively communicating with partners, team members, and other stakeholders.
• Providing supervision to trainees, as well as mentorship, career coaching and advising, and working in collaboration with the Advisors team and others to reduce barriers to employment.
• Providing professional development training to Skilled Trades Academy trainees by conducting one-on-one meetings and site visits, creating individual success plans, designing and delivering career readiness workshops and activities, and organizing the receipt of work readiness training and credentialing from external providers.
• Design and facilitate work readiness training for other programs in the Career Training Phase, which include the Water and Land Management Academy, Reforestation Hub, Preservation Trades Center, and Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship.
• Manage administrative setup, trainee coaching, and progress tracking for online, and virtual reality skilled trades training programs.
• Troubleshooting trainee conduct and performance challenges by introducing and upholding the PowerCorpsPHL Code of Conduct, making timely interventions in the form of verbal and written warnings, administering Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and enacting corrective actions.
• Evaluating trainees at the mid- and end-points of each cohort and using the evaluation as the basis for concrete performance feedback and a tool to determine eligibility for next steps, such as recommendations or referrals for internships, apprenticeships, employment, and other merit-based opportunities.
• Supporting the compiling of project documentation, including detailed and timely case management notes, trainee and program accomplishments and milestones, program reviews or assessments, as well as information related to grant reporting and deliverables.
• Cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with internship and employer organizations to expand post-program employment opportunities.
• Managing the end-to-end internship, apprenticeship, and job matching process for trainees.
• Collaborating with staff and organizational partners to plan graduation and other celebration or recognition activities.

Qualifications

• Passion for PowerCorpsPHL’s mission and people.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Able to report on-site by 6:45 AM on required days during the Skilled Trades Academy.
• Strong appreciation for process-driven work and developing systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster relationships with multiple cross-sector partners and work as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Excellent organizational skills; proven competence in collection and management of information and balancing multiple tasks with attention to timelines and priority.
• Excellent self-direction, ability to work independently when needed, and the ability to take ownership and drive tasks through completion.
• Desire to learn more through a combination of self-directed research, collaboration with partners and colleagues, and willingness to ask critical questions.
• Experience recording and tracking data.
• Successful submission of background checks.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree (preferred) with a minimum of two years of direct experience working within workforce development initiatives, career and technical training programs, vocational education.
• OR minimum of 3-5 years of skilled trades industry training experience.
• Minimum two years of experience working as a trainer, adult educator, facilitator, mentor, or combination of the above, with experience designing and delivering curriculum, lesson plans, workshops, and presentations.
• Minimum two years of experience in project management with multiple stakeholders and clients or partners at varying tiers of leadership.
• Experience within the skilled trades, and the construction trades strongly preferred.
• Experience working with diverse teams on shared programs or projects.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Traveling to different locations within Philadelphia on a regular basis.
• Ability to facilitate both virtual and in-person workshops and meetings using a variety of digital platforms, physical projectors, whiteboards, flip charts and vocal projection.
• Ability to sit for up to four (4) hours at a time looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard and mouse, typing, and frequently participating on video conferences.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and park spaces.
• Ability to work outdoors in challenging conditions, including, but not limited to: working in extreme heat, cold, or rain; heavy lifting; bending.
• Ability to perform the operation of power tools and hand tools and perform tasks requiring mechanical aptitude.

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of required activities, duties, or responsibilities, and is subject to change at any time with or without notice.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Savings Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Day Care, Mass Transit and/or Parking)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan participation
• Additionally, you will be entitled to:
• 30 days of paid time off annually (240 hours)
• 12 holidays annually, plus a winter break

PowerCorpsPHL requires background checks to be submitted prior to hire. Having a background does not necessarily prohibit employment. Individuals with backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

PowerCorpsPHL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

PowerCorpsPHL is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job. This job description outlines the typical functions of the position, and employees with disabilities can perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. We will provide accommodations unless doing so would cause an undue hardship for the employer.