Job Summary:
CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships works in close collaboration with industry and business leaders to ensure the college’s offerings are meeting both current and future workforce needs. The division provides Workforce, Adult Education, and Transportation Education programs as well as Career Services and Employer Solutions to the Rhode Island community and beyond.
The Executive Director for the Office of Apprenticeships is a visionary leader responsible for developing, implementing, and managing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, and apprenticeship programs that provide students with hands-on, paid work experience while advancing Rhode Island’s workforce development goals. The Executive Director will forge partnerships with employers, labor unions, government agencies, and community organizations to create industry-driven apprenticeships that address critical labor market needs/ This position combines strategic planning, partnership cultivation, program management, and advocacy to promote apprenticeship as a powerful education and workforce model.
The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison between the College and apprenticeship partners, ensuring high-quality program delivery, exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and measurable outcomes that strengthen apprenticeship pathways and workforce pipelines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Commitment to CCRI’s Mission:
Demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college
Work collaboratively in a diverse, inclusive, and student-centered environment, with students of various learning styles, cultures, identities, and life-experiences
Leadership/Management Skills:
Establish the Office of Apprenticeship
Identify and help secure funding to support apprenticeship opportunities
Serve as the college’s lead representative and subject matter expert for all apprenticeship matters
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to expand and enhance CCRI’s apprenticeship offerings across diverse industries, including manufacturing, residential and commercial construction, healthcare, information technology, hospitality, and emerging industries
Work collaboratively with the Division for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to integrate apprenticeship opportunities with existing credit and non-credit programs
Establish clear goals, metrics, and evaluation frameworks to assess program quality, student success, employer satisfaction, operational effectiveness, and overall program impact
Stay informed on federal, state, and local policies, funding opportunities, and best practices in apprenticeships to ensure compliance and innovation. Supervise departmental staff and work with them to develop and meet key performance indicators; effectively communicate expectations to team members and external stakeholders
Remain abreast of trends in apprenticeship, workforce development, labor market demand, employer needs, credential attainment, and work-based learning to ensure programs remain innovative and responsive
Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of all apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, and pre-apprenticeship programs through effective operational oversight, continuous improvement, and adherence to College standards and partner expectations
Partnership Development/Collaborations:
Promote the College’s Office of Apprenticeship to ensure maximum awareness; and effectively manage employer, industry partner, community partner, and stakeholder relationships
Establish and strengthen partnerships with employers, trade associations, labor organizations, and state agencies to develop apprenticeship pipelines that meet workforce needs
Work with high schools and community organizations to recruit underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, and individuals with barriers to employment, into apprenticeship programs
Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Advancement and other college leaders to secure funding and resources for apprenticeship initiatives. Actively develop business and professional relationships, represent the college on relevant committees and boards, and perform regular business and corporate site visits to ensure quality apprenticeship and work-based learning experience and promote training opportunities
Oversite and Compliance:
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of Apprenticeships, including staff supervision, program implementation, quality assurance, budget oversight, reporting, and continuous operational improvement
Ensure all pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeship readiness, and apprenticeship programs adhere to state and federal regulations, including registration with the U.S. Department of Labor or the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Monitor apprenticeship program performance using enrollment, completion, retention, employer satisfaction, employment outcomes, and other performance metrics to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making
Collaborate with academic departments, workforce partnership staff, student affairs, and employer partners to ensure apprenticeship programs align with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and workforce needs
Student Support:
Collaborate with the faculty and staff to determine areas to award Credit for Prior Learning and build stackable programs for effective onramps for apprenticeships and work-based learning
Create, expand, and continuously improve apprenticeship opportunities that provide paid on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction, resulting in high quality career pathways for students and employers
Advocacy and Public Relations:
Advocate for apprenticeships as a critical workforce strategy by representing CCRI at local, state, and national meetings, conferences, and events
Collaborate with CCRI’s Marketing and Communications to develop marketing and outreach plans to raise awareness about apprenticeship opportunities among students, employers, and the broader community
Celebrate student and employer success stories through strategic communication campaigns in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team
Department Operations:
In collaboration with the Divisional and College Leadership to set and maintain the Office of Apprenticeship budget
Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, employers, labor organizations, and community partners to ensure high-quality program delivery, exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement consistent with the college and industry expectations
Seek regular feedback from students, employers, faculty, and apprenticeship partners to evaluate program effectiveness and implement continuous quality improvements
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in education, workforce development, business administration, or a related field
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in apprenticeship programs, workforce development, or related areas
Strong knowledge of state and federal apprenticeship regulations and labor market trends
Experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation
Proven ability to manage budgets and secure external funding, including grants
Strong writing skills with the ability to convey complex subject matter clearly and accurately
Demonstrated experience working in a busy, diverse environment with multiple stakeholders
Demonstrated experience working with employer, industry, and community partners prioritizing organizational needs and structure
Demonstrated comprehensive data analysis and assessment skills for program evaluation, learning outcomes, and data management
Ability to think creatively to leverage the college’s resources in delivery of workforce training needs
Preferred Qualifications:
Strategic planning and problem-solving abilities
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders effectively
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in workforce programming
Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and maintain compliance
Proficiency in project management and program evaluation
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment visa including student visas.
