The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) seeks a Workforce Development Specialist to train in a developmental capacity, conducts work throughout assigned area, and responds to inquiries from or initiates work with current and potential program sponsors and contacts including employers, associations, community-based organizations to build, maintain, or enhance new or existing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and ecosystems and conduct compliance reviews or assessments.

The Workforce Development Specialist in training will support the delivery, growth, and continuous improvement of the Manufacturers Talent Institute’s (MTI) programs for advanced manufacturing. This position plays a beginning role in the Apprentice program MACNY delivers by preparing participants for careers in manufacturing while helping employers build a skilled talent pipeline. This position builds knowledge and skills that are crucial and utilized in the success of a Workforce Development Specialist (WDS) position which supports pathways into Registered Apprenticeship programs.

• Support and assist the recruitment screening, interviewing, of the participants for pre-apprenticeship/Registered Apprenticeship programs.
• Track the coordination with education partners, workforce development partners, community organizations, and employers to support successful program delivery.
• Provide Support in the career preparation, 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.
• Continuous learning the bridge work to function as a liaison between participants, businesses, educators, and community partners to ensure clear communication and alignment of expectations.
• Support assisting special projects, pilot programs, new regional initiatives, and program expansion efforts as assigned.
• Train to enhance skills to build and maintain relationships with employers, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations to promote MTI’s pre-apprenticeship programs and broader workforce development initiatives.
• Take part in job fairs, community events, partner meetings, advisory committees, graduations, and other program-related events.
• Train and maintain accurate information 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 your assigned trainer and the apprenticeship team and other MTI departments.
• Contribute to a positive, solutions-oriented team culture focused on accountability, service, participant success, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills / Abilities:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Always maintain professionalism and exhibit sound judgement.
• Collaborate effectively with others.
• Gather, analyze, and convey data.
• Support presentations to varied groups of individuals.
• Work independently and with training supervision.
• Travel to various locations on a weekly or daily basis as needed to meet training needs.
• Conducting research and analysis and presenting findings.
• Purposeful with a proven solution-focused attitude.
• Effective organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

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 is a plus.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, learning management systems, Smartsheet, data dashboards, and other reporting tools.

Preferred:

• Experience with grant-funded programs or grant-related documentation.
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus.

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 participate in occasional activities outside standard business hours, as needed.
• Successfully pass a background check.

MACNY - MTI Division

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.