Workforce Program Manager

About the role

Kelso Industries is seeking a Workforce Programs Manager to support the development and administration of apprenticeship, on-the-job learning, and incumbent worker training programs across the company's operating companies. The role also involves building partnerships with various organizations to secure funding for these programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and administer apprenticeship, OJT, and incumbent worker training programs across Kelso operating companies.
• Partner with Operation leaders, HR, Safety, Talent Acquisition, and Learning and Development to identify workforce needs and training opportunities.
• Manage all apprenticeship requirements, including training plans, OJT hours, wage progression, participant tracking, and completion documentation.
• Build partnerships with workforce boards, state apprenticeship offices, technical colleges, trade associations, schools, and private organizations.
• Research and identify funding opportunities that support apprenticeships, OJT, incumbent worker programs, technical training, and workforce development.
• Write, coordinate, and submit grant applications, proposals, reimbursement requests, and required reports.
• Maintain a grant calendar to track deadlines, award periods, reporting requirements, renewal dates, and closeout activities.
• Partner to gather budgets, data, training plans, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate records for apprenticeship programs, grant funding, participant progress, OJT hours, and training outcomes.
• Ensure programs meet applicable federal, state, grant, and apprenticeship requirements.
• Prepare reports for internal leaders and external funding partners.
• Track key outcomes such as funding secured, program participation, completion rates, retention, wage progression, credential attainment, and promotions.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience in workforce development, apprenticeship administration, grant writing, HR, training, education, or a related field.
• Experience researching, writing, managing, or reporting on grants or workforce funding programs.
• Strong project management, communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Able to manage multiple deadlines, stakeholders, and compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with data, budgets, documentation, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in workforce development, education, business, human resources, public administration, construction management, organizational development, or a related field.
• Experience with Department of Labor registered apprenticeships or state apprenticeship programs.
• Experience in construction, skilled trades, MEP, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, facilities, manufacturing, or technical workforce development.
• Knowledge of OJT funding, incumbent worker training grants, WIOA programs, workforce boards, or technical college partnerships.
• Experience developing training plans, competency models, wage progression schedules, or apprenticeship standards.