The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) seeks an energetic individual to serve as a Workforce Development Specialist. Reporting to the Manager of Corporate Services and Workforce Development, the Workforce Development Specialist’s primary focus will be on Direct Entry pre-apprenticeship programs.  The Workforce Development Specialist will engage businesses, educators and community partners to provide resources, training solutions and technical assistance for workforce challenges, specifically to support Registered Apprenticeship program pathways. 

The ideal candidate possesses strong personal and organizational skills along with an interest in recruiting and business outreach. 

Responsibilities 

Pre-Apprenticeship Program Support 

• Work with the Pre-Apprenticeship team to support programming in coordination with education and industry partners to provide career preparation and job placement for program participants. 

• Serve on pre-apprenticeship advisory committees as required. 

• Collaborate with partners to establish program calendars and coordinate employer participation in programming. 

• Recruit, interview, & enroll participants into Direct Entry pre-apprenticeship programs. 

• Maintain accurate program documentation for reporting purposes. 

• Act as a liaison on MACNY services and program offerings to participants, businesses, educators, and community partners.  

• Perform work as a team member on multiple programs and grants including, but not limited to, data collection and providing grant program activity reports as required. 

• Write or contribute to monthly reports and articles. 

 Business Development & Community Relations 

• Maintain relationships with businesses, educators, and community partners to promote the benefits of MACNY’s workforce development initiatives and MACNY’s Membership offerings. 

• Collaborate on efforts, including prospecting, and presentations to secure new outreach and employer connections. 

• Develop and maintain partnerships with organizations and subject matter experts to advance the work of our talent development programs. 

• Work with businesses to identify and solve skill gaps utilizing MACNY’s talent development solutions. 

• Attend job fairs, conferences and other events. 

Project Execution 

• Facilitate in-person and web-based presentations and trainings. 

• Provide technical assistance to key stakeholders on the project. 

• Assist with program delivery to meet monthly, quarterly and yearly goals. 

• Assist in the facilitation of meetings with partner organizations. 

Reporting 

• Document program activities and outcomes in database systems with accuracy on a timely basis. 

• Contribute to the development and timely submission of grant reporting requirements. 

• Report monthly on project deliverables to ensure alignment with project scope of work. 

• Participate in planning and strategy meetings to design project deliverables and yearly project workplans. 

Other duties as assigned. 

 Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or equivalency required. Must have valid driver’s license. 

• Goal-Oriented: Demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving program objectives and continuously improving program outcomes. 

• Solution-Oriented Approach: Ability to identify challenges and find effective solutions to overcome them, whether related to program logistics or participant needs. 

• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, sharing insights and supporting colleagues in achieving shared goals. 

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including educators, industry partners, businesses, and community organizations. 

• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate program schedules, and ensure deadlines are met. 

• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to think creatively when collaborating with partners to design and implement effective pre-apprenticeship solutions. 

• Technology Literacy: Comfort with using software tools for scheduling, reporting, data management, and communication (e.g., Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and data analysis tools). 

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accurate documentation and reporting for program activities and participant progress. 

• Networking Ability: Skilled at building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, such as businesses and educational institutions, to promote the program and secure employer participation. 

• Verbal and Written Communication: Ability to clearly communicate program details, benefits, and expectations to participants, business partners, and other stakeholders in English. Fluency in additional languages a plus. 

• Public Speaking and Facilitation: Comfortable leading in-person and virtual presentations, workshops, and meetings. 

• Sales/Outreach Skills: Ability to effectively promote the program’s benefits to employers and other partners, encouraging their participation in workforce development efforts. 

• Efficient Time Management: Able to prioritize tasks effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

• Multitasking Ability: Capable of handling various responsibilities simultaneously, such as program coordination, business development, and reporting. 

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Familiarity with platforms that track program progress, participant learning, and employer engagement. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Must have reliable transportation for frequent community outreach and engagements within New York State. Must have flexibility in availability to support occasional activities outside of regular business hours. Completion of a satisfactory background check will be required.  Hybrid remote schedule after satisfactory 90-day review. Salary plus full benefit package including health, dental, life and disability plans, employer contribution to 401k and more.   

Additional Considerations: Applicants who may not meet all of the above qualifications but possess relevant experience or skills and a strong interest in workforce development are encouraged to apply. These candidates may be considered for a Registered Apprenticeship as a Workforce Development Specialist, where they can gain on-the-job training and mentorship to develop the necessary skills and expertise for the role. 

https://www.macny.org/

The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association representing over 300 businesses and organizations across Central and Upstate New York. About three-quarters of MACNY’s members are industrial companies with the remaining members consisting of accounting firms, insurance agencies, law firms, financial institutions, and other service providers that support manufacturers. 

MACNY members supply the region, nation, and world with a variety of products and services. Distributed across 26 counties in Central and Upstate New York, MACNY’s member companies employ over 50,000 workers. For members and the community, MACNY’s staff provides a wide range of services, including training and leadership development, networking events, workforce development, human resources services, advocacy, energy and purchasing solutions, and organizational growth services and consulting. This portfolio is designed to provide members with the tools, information, people, and resources they need to compete in the global market. 

MACNY employment practices and procedures and conditions of employment are administered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, status as a victim of domestic violence, veteran status, special disabled veteran or disability, or non-job-related felony conviction record (or any other legally protected status) including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, retention and termination in accordance with applicable federal laws.  

MACNY is an approved individual sponsor of the Workforce Development Specialist trade through the NYS Department of Labor. 

MACNY employment practices and procedures and conditions of employment are administered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, status as a victim of domestic violence, veteran status, special disabled veteran or disability, or non-job-related felony conviction record (or any other legally protected status) including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, retention and termination in accordance with applicable federal laws.