Industry Training Operations Apprentice
About the role
The National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) at WSU Tech is seeking an experienced and ambitious individual to join the Aviation Workforce & Development team as an Industry Training Operations Apprentice. This is a structured leadership development program designed to prepare the right person for future director-level roles within the Industry Training division.
Responsibilities
Manage daily operations of the Industry Training division, ensuring training programs, schedules, and employer commitments are executed on time and without disruption to contracted services.
Maintain primary responsibility for office administration, scheduling coordination, and operational workflow within the division.
Adapt rapidly to shifting priorities, reassigned tasks, and evolving program needs — this role moves at the speed of business and requires composure under pressure.
Track, manage, and meet hard deadlines tied to employer training contracts and delivery schedules; missed deadlines directly impact employer relationships and program credibility.
Complete assigned projects and progressively assume increased operational responsibility throughout the apprenticeship period.
Participate in a minimum of 20 hours of structured professional development activities.
Build and sustain professional relationships with employers across all scales — from local and regional Wichita-area companies to national OEM partners such as Boeing, Textron, and other aviation industry leaders.
Represent WSU Tech NCAT in employer meetings, site visits, and industry partnership discussions with professionalism and institutional knowledge.
Identify workforce training needs and opportunities through active engagement with employer partners and workforce organizations.
Support contract development, training proposals, and partnership negotiations under the direction of the Industry Training Director.
Process and manage employer invoicing for training services, ensuring accuracy and timely submission in coordination with the WSU Tech Business Office.
Support budget reconciliation for training contracts, tracking expenditures against contracted amounts and flagging variances.
Serve as a consistent point of coordination between the Industry Training division and internal stakeholders including Finance, the Business Office, and other college departments.
Interface regularly with external organizations — employer partners, funding agencies, and industry associations — on financial and contractual matters.
Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and institutional financial policies.
Requirements
Average of 2 years of relevant work experience in workforce development, training coordination, higher education, operations, business development, or industry partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities without loss of quality or accountability.
Strong professional communication skills — written, verbal, and interpersonal — across diverse audiences including employers, college administration, and finance personnel.
Comfort working with financial data, invoicing processes, or budget-related workflows.
Professional demeanor with the ability to represent the institution credibly in employer-facing environments at all levels.
Preferred Experience
Familiarity with contract development, grant documentation, or employer billing processes.
Experience working across organizational boundaries with finance, operations, or external partners.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook.
What We Offer
WSU Tech is committed to inclusive and equitable practices to create an environment and culture where students and employees thrive. We acknowledge that through valuing diverse identities, experiences, talents, and gifts, we excel by fulfilling our mission to create a talent pipeline, establish workforce equity, and improve economic prosperity for our community. WSU Tech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Benefits
Learn more about our benefits.