The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) MTI Division seeks an energetic individual to serve as a Pre-Apprenticeship Workforce Development Specialist, reporting to the Manager of Preapprenticeship. The Pre-Apprenticeship Workforce Development Specialist supports the delivery, growth, and continuous improvement of MTI’s pre-apprenticeship programs for advanced manufacturing primarily in the Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego counties and is based in MACNY's MTI Division Syracuse Office.

This position plays a key role in preparing participants for careers in manufacturing while helping employers build a skilled talent pipeline. This position supports pathways into Registered Apprenticeship and other workforce opportunities by balancing participant support, partner coordination, employer outreach, program execution, and grant-related requirements. The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, comfortable working with diverse stakeholders, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

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

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.  

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Recruit, screen, interview, and support participants for pre-apprenticeship programs.  

• Coordinate with education partners, workforce development partners, community organizations, and employers to support successful program delivery.  

• Provide career preparation support, including resume development, interview preparation, workplace readiness, and job search assistance.  

• Support participant retention and completion by identifying barriers, connecting participants to resources, and maintaining regular communication throughout the program.  

• Assist with participant placement into employment, Registered Apprenticeship pathways, or other appropriate next-step opportunities.  

• Serve as a liaison between participants, businesses, educators, and community partners to ensure clear communication and alignment of expectations.  

• Support special projects, pilot programs, new regional initiatives, and program expansion efforts as assigned.  

• Build and maintain relationships with employers, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations to promote MTI’s pre-apprenticeship programs and broader workforce development initiatives.  

• Conduct outreach to employers to identify hiring needs, skill gaps, and opportunities for participant placement.  

• Collaborate with employers to support presentations, facility tours, interviews, hiring events, and other engagement opportunities.  

• Represent MTI at job fairs, community events, partner meetings, advisory committees, graduations, and other program-related events.  

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant activity, employer engagement, partner communication, program outcomes, and required grant data.  

• Enter and update information in CRM systems, learning management systems, spreadsheets, and other program tracking tools.  

• Work collaboratively with the pre-apprenticeship team and other MTI departments.  

• Contribute to a positive, solutions-oriented team culture focused on accountability, service, participant success, and continuous improvement.  

• Prepare or contribute to program updates, participant communications, reports, articles, success stories, and partner-facing documents.  

• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

 Required Skills/Abilities 

• Goal-oriented with a proven solution-focused,  

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for networking, outreach, public speaking, and facilitation of the program success. 

• Effective organizational skills with strong attention to detail,  

• Able to professionally promote program benefits to employers, participants, and partners. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines effectively. 

Required Education and Experience: 

• High school diploma or equivalent or preferred bachelor’s degree in workforce development, education, business, communications, human services, public administration, or a related field.  

• Six months minimum working with employers, students, job seekers, community partners, education providers, or workforce development programs. 

• Familiarity with CRM systems, learning management systems, Smartsheet, data dashboards, or other reporting tools.  

Preferred: 

• Experience with grant-funded programs or grant-related documentation.  

• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.  

Physical Requirements 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.  

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel regionally for recruitment, program delivery, partner meetings, employer engagement, graduations, and community outreach. 

• Must be able to travel regularly for meetings, events, outreach, and program activities in the community. 

• Must be able to participate in occasional activities outside standard business hours, as needed. 

• Successfully passing background check. 

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.