Manager, Apprenticeship RI Hub

Position Title: Manager, Apprenticeship RI Hub 

Reports to: Director of RA Expansion 

Supervisory Responsibilities: TBD

Employment Status: Full-time, exempt 

Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Summary: This position will focus on the management of the Apprenticeship Rhode Island (ARI) Hub and the development of new, innovative high quality Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). The position has three interrelated areas of responsibility: project management, stakeholder engagement towards systems changes and quality RAP development. While receiving strategic guidance and direction from the CEO, the ARI Hub Manager will work in partnership with all ARI staff and report to the Director of RA Expansion to ensure coordination among all aspects of the ARI initiative as a whole. Since 2015, Building Futures has led the Apprenticeship Rhode Island (ARI) initiative in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), which is the federally designated State Apprenticeship Agency. In doing so, the ARI initiative has significantly expanded the use of the RA model while making improvements to the RA system capacity and its integration with related systems, such as the public workforce development and education systems. Over the next four years, our work as the state apprenticeship intermediary – or “Hub” – will focus on developing high quality innovative RAPs in the public and clean energy sectors while continuing to improve all aspects of the RA system with a specific focus on creating genuine career paths for people experiencing poverty.

Responsibilities The position has three primary areas of responsibility:

1. Project Management 

a. Develop action plans for each planned area of the Apprenticeship RI Hub that include scope, goals, deliverables and timelines. 

b. Lead implementation of these plans, convening and motivating project teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring tasks are completed on time. 

c. Maintain clear and regular communication with internal and external stakeholders, providing updates on project status and progress. 

d. In coordination with the finance and operations department, manage subrecipient project budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to approved budget in alignment with grant requirements, as well as scope of work achievement.

 e. Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact. 

f. Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, reports, and other necessary records.

 g. Track and report on project performance, and coordinate sharing project/grant performance data with other staff members for reporting and communications.

2. Stakeholder Engagement 

a. Foster and manage executive-level relationships with external public and private sector partners needed in order to facilitate achievement of registered apprenticeship expansion. 

b. Convene, organize and participate in high-level meetings, presentations, and negotiations. 

c. Ensure seamless and effective collaboration with and among all relevant stakeholders at every level needed for program and/or system development 

d. Identify systemic and policy challenges to the expansion of registered apprenticeships in alignment with Apprenticeship RI goals. Frame problems, identify creative solutions, and implement needed changes. 

e. Manage the programmatic scopes of work engaged by subrecipient partners of the Apprenticeship RI Hub and ensure the successful completion of their respective scopes.

3. Registered Apprenticeship Program Development & Operations 

a. Promote the RA model to government and other employers, unions, industry associations and potential RA program sponsors, with the goal of expanding RAPs strategically in growth occupations and industry sectors of Rhode Island. 

b. Identify structural impediments with specific private and public sector employers seeking to launching or operating high quality RAPs in a sustainable manner. Frame problems, identify creative solutions, and help employers implement needed changes. 

c. Coordinate peer learning among subrecipients and other RAP sponsors when appropriate to share best practices in RA program design, launch, operation and sustainability. 

d. Provide technical assistance to existing and/or new RA sponsors to address any challenges encountered in initial RAP launch and operation, focusing on the first year of operation specifically and through the graduation of the inaugural apprentice cohort(s). 

e. Guide employer partners in developing and implementing high-quality registered apprenticeship and/or pre-apprenticeship programs that address identified workforce development needs, with a focus on creating career pathways for underrepresented populations. 

i. Support employers to structure related technical instruction (RTI) that complements and enhances the on-the-job-learning (OJL) program, including certifications as needed. 

ii. Ensure program design is incorporated into required RA Program Standards. Facilitate program registration and, as needed, organize information for presentation to the State Apprenticeship Council (SAC). 

f. Coordinate with Apprenticeship RI employer relations and other staff related to RAP development, technical assistance and services for RAP Sponsors, with a specific focus on RA program development planned as part of ARI Hub activities.

4. Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: Alignment and commitment to our organizational mission are essential: Our mission is to meet employer and industry need for skilled workers through the Registered Apprenticeship system while creating family-sustaining careers for people experiencing poverty

Additionally, successful applicants will have:

 • Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management. Experience working in, or closely with, the public sector strongly preferred. 

• Ability to “think in systems” and navigate complex bureaucracy and relationships required. Proven ability to engage and manage high-level stakeholders effectively required. 

• Excellent leadership, team management, communication, and interpersonal abilities. 

• Ability to drive forward complex programs and projects, prioritizing multiple competing tasks and activities. Detail-oriented and highly organized. 

• Excellent judgment and strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 

• Competency with computer programs including Excel, Word, Outlook, project management software, and databases

Additional Information 

Building Futures is located in the Valley neighborhood of Providence, RI. This role requires local and statewide travel. A valid driver’s license is required. Building Futures is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming candidates, people with disabilities, and people of other diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. Building Futures offers excellent health and dental benefits, life insurance, 401k match, and a competitive paid time off package.

About Building Futures 

Building Futures launched in 2007 as a construction industry partnership, focused on leveraging the Registered Apprenticeship model of workforce development. For over 100 years, unions and employers have jointly operated quality registered apprenticeships in the construction occupations to train individuals as highly-skilled tradespeople. Our work spans three distinct but highly aligned areas. For the benefit of low-income Rhode Islanders, Building Futures developed and operates a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship program to prepare diverse, low-income men and women for success in employment as registered apprentices in the building trades. In addition, we work in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure construction projects provide employment opportunities for apprentices at the appropriate level to meet future demand for skilled labor through our Apprentice Utilization Program. Our pre-apprenticeship and apprentice utilization program together provide an effective system for workforce development in Rhode Island’s construction sector. From this foundation, we have established Apprenticeship Rhode Island, an initiative to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship beyond the construction sector. Now, we are helping develop new registered apprenticeship programs in multiple sectors, which include healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing and boat building, among others. Working with employers, industry partnerships, government and community-based organizations, we are spreading the proven model of Registered Apprenticeship to benefit the state’s workforce and economy