Career Prep Instructor - Youth Trade School Career Coordinator in Marion, Virginia at ENDLESS HORIZONS

About the Role:

The Career Prep Instructor - Youth Trade School Career Coordinator plays a pivotal role in preparing young individuals for successful entry into skilled trades and related career pathways. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and facilitating comprehensive career preparation programs that equip students with the necessary technical knowledge, soft skills, and workplace readiness. The role involves close collaboration with industry partners, educators, and community organizations to ensure alignment with current labor market demands and to provide students with meaningful internship and apprenticeship opportunities. The Career Coordinator also monitors student progress, provides personalized guidance, and supports career placement efforts to maximize employment outcomes. Ultimately, this position aims to empower youth with the confidence, skills, and resources needed to thrive in trade careers and contribute positively to their communities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Career Counseling, Workforce Development, or a related field.
• Experience working with youth in educational or career development settings.
• Strong understanding of skilled trades and vocational training pathways.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with students, employers, and partners.
• Proficiency in program planning, coordination, and basic data tracking/reporting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience specifically in trade school environments or apprenticeship program coordination.
• Certification in career counseling or workforce development (e.g., NCC, GCDF).
• Familiarity with labor market information systems and career assessment tools.
• Bilingual abilities to support diverse student populations.
• Experience with grant writing or program funding management.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver engaging career preparation curriculum tailored to youth interested in skilled trades.
• Coordinate with local trade schools, employers, and apprenticeship programs to create pathways for student internships and job placements.
• Provide one-on-one career counseling and support to help students identify their strengths, set goals, and navigate career options.
• Organize workshops and events focused on resume writing, interview skills, workplace etiquette, and job search strategies.
• Track and report on student progress, program outcomes, and employment placement metrics to stakeholders.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and labor market needs to continuously adapt program content.
• Collaborate with educators and community partners to promote program awareness and recruit eligible youth participants.

Skills:

The required skills enable the Career Prep Instructor to design and implement effective career readiness programs that resonate with youth and meet industry standards. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for building trust with students and fostering partnerships with employers and educational institutions. Organizational and coordination skills are used daily to manage multiple program components, events, and stakeholder relationships efficiently. Analytical skills support the monitoring of student progress and program effectiveness, allowing for data-driven improvements. Preferred skills such as bilingualism and familiarity with career assessment tools enhance the ability to serve diverse populations and tailor guidance to individual student needs, thereby increasing overall program impact.

Horizons Youth Services, through innovative leadership and job training programs, provides today’s youth with the education, skills and vision they need to build bright futures for themselves and their communities.

As an operator of Job Corps centers for the U.S. Department of Labor, Horizons Youth Services provides innovative, quality educational and job training programs to enable young people to succeed in today’s competitive job market and keep pace with the ever-changing dynamics of our worldwide economy.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability and Veteran