Position Summary:
The Director of Apprenticeships provides strategic leadership, administration, and oversight for the College’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship initiatives. The Director is responsible for developing and sustaining innovative employer-driven talent pipeline programs that align with regional workforce needs, support economic mobility for students, and advance the mission of the College.
This position serves as the institutional lead for apprenticeship strategy and apprenticeship-related education initiatives, including the development, implementation, expansion, and continuous improvement of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in collaboration with industry, labor organizations, government agencies, community partners, and academic departments.
The Director is responsible for cultivating and managing employer relationships; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements; supervising program operations and staff; and advancing equitable access and student success within apprenticeship pathways.
The Director works collaboratively with instructional deans, faculty, student services, workforce development agencies, and external stakeholders to align curriculum and Related Technical Instruction (RTI) with labor market demands and industry trends.
Essential Duties include:Strategic Leadership and Program Development
- Provide strategic leadership for the College’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, regional workforce needs, and economic development strategies.
- Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across multiple industry sectors.
- Develop long-range operational and strategic plans for apprenticeship initiatives.
- Establish measurable goals, key performance indicators, and continuous improvement processes for apprenticeship programming.
- Identify emerging workforce trends, labor market demands, and partnership opportunities to guide program growth and innovation.
Employer and Community Engagement
- Develop, strengthen, and maintain strategic relationships with employers, industry associations, labor organizations, workforce development boards, K-12 districts, community organizations, and governmental entities.
- Serve as the College’s primary liaison with the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, State of Michigan agencies, Michigan Works!, Ann Arbor SPARK, and other regional and national apprenticeship partners.
- Lead employer engagement efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities and strengthen regional talent pipelines.
- Facilitate advisory groups, employer councils, and partnership meetings related to apprenticeship initiatives.
- Represent the College at local, regional, state, and national apprenticeship meetings, conferences, and events.
Program Administration and Compliance
- Ensure apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs comply with federal, state, accreditation, and institutional requirements.
- Oversee registration, reporting, monitoring, documentation, and audit preparation processes for apprenticeship-related programs.
- Direct the preparation and submission of required reports, performance metrics, compliance documentation, and institutional deliverables.
- Monitor program outcomes, student progress, retention, completion, and employment data to ensure program effectiveness and accountability.
- Maintain accurate records utilizing CRM systems, student information systems, and workforce reporting platforms.
Academic Collaboration and Student Success
- Collaborate with academic deans, faculty, instructional leadership, and student services to align curriculum and Related Technical Instruction (RTI) with apprenticeship requirements.
- Support development of credit and non-credit apprenticeship pathways connected to high-demand occupations.
- Coordinate scheduling and delivery of apprenticeship-related coursework and training experiences.
- Assist with curriculum development and program innovation to address evolving industry needs.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, orientation, advising coordination, and retention efforts for apprentices.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase participation and success among underserved and historically excluded populations.
- Ensure apprentices receive appropriate academic, career, and support services throughout their programs.
Budget and Resource Management
- Assist in development and management of departmental budgets related to apprenticeship initiatives.
- Identify and support opportunities for external funding, sponsorships, and partnership development.
- Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
- Prepare budget reports, program analyses, and operational updates as needed.
Supervision and Leadership
- Provide leadership, supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned staff, student employees, and/or contractors.
- Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and student-centered culture within apprenticeship operations.
- Promote professional development and continuous learning opportunities for staff.
Institutional Service
- Deliver quality customer service to internal and external constituents in a professional, responsive, and collaborative manner.
- Maintain sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment inclusive of students, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Perform assigned duties consistent with the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the College.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Career and Technical Education or designee.
- Utilize technology, including AI-enabled tools and software where appropriate, to support the effective performance of assigned duties, enhance productivity, improve communication and information management, support decision-making, and other responsibilities, while ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements, institutional policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Hours/Schedule:
This is a full-time position that will work 40 hours per week with some evenings and weekends based on business needs and to serve working adults.
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in higher education, workforce development, public administration, business, education, or a related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in apprenticeship administration, workforce education, higher education leadership, economic development, or related fields required.
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing employer engagement initiatives and apprenticeship programs required.
- Experience leading registered apprenticeship or workforce education programs strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards, workforce systems, and compliance requirements preferred.
- Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional initiatives required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategic partnerships with business, industry, government, and community organizations.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills required.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills required.
- Experience with budget management, program administration, and operational oversight preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, data reporting tools, and student information systems required.
- Experience with Salesforce, Ellucian Colleague, and workforce data systems preferred.
- Ability to analyze labor market data and apprenticeship trends to inform strategic decision-making preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, student success, and workforce access initiatives required.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends based on business and community engagement needs required.
- Ability to use workplace technology relevant to the position, including the capacity to learn and appropriately leverage emerging AI-supported tools. Ability to assess the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content, maintain confidentiality, and apply sound judgment and ethical practices in the use of technology.
Pay: $80,409.00 - $88,449.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
