Executive Director Office of Apprenticeships

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.

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 success and 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 career education, apprenticeship, employment, the economy, and in affiliated business and industry

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 design, and reporting
• 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
• Maintain comprehensive records and prepare reports on program performance, student outcomes, and employer satisfaction

Student Support:

• Oversee an effective apprenticeship, career, and experiential education center for students, workforce participants, and alumni including overseeing career counseling, events, technology, and contributing to curriculum
• Manage the Cooperative Work Education Seminar (LIBA 1010) including scheduling and the selection and training of College personnel and employers in the concepts, practices, and supervision of the internship program
• 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 new apprenticeship opportunities to meet students’ and states’ need for paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers

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 closely with all stakeholders to ensure high-quality delivery of programs consistent with the expectations of the college, industry partners and other key stakeholders
• Seek program input from faculty, staff, and external audiences on the planning and evaluation of programs

Minimum Requirement:

• 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