Workforce Program Manager

Kelso Industries is seeking a Workforce Programs Manager to work directly with the Director of L&D to build, fund, and support workforce training programs across Kelso and its operating companies. This role works with federal, state, local, and private organizations to secure funding for Department of Labor registered apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, incumbent worker training, and other employee development programs in the MEP+ space.

This role supports training pathways empowering employees growth from entry-level roles into skilled craft professionals, field leaders, project managers, and future business leaders in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, service, and related trade related roles.

Key Responsibilities

Apprenticeship and Workforce Development

• Support the development and administration of apprenticeship, OJT, and incumbent worker training programs across Kelso operating companies.
• Partner with Operation leaders, HR, Safety, Talent Acquisition, and Learning and Development to identify workforce needs and training opportunities.
• Manage all apprenticeship requirements, including training plans, OJT hours, wage progression, participant tracking, and completion documentation.
• Build partnerships with workforce boards, state apprenticeship offices, technical colleges, trade associations, schools, and private organizations.

Grant Strategy and Funding

• Research and identify funding opportunities that support apprenticeships, OJT, incumbent worker programs, technical training, and workforce development.
• Write, coordinate, and submit grant applications, proposals, reimbursement requests, and required reports.
• Maintain a grant calendar to track deadlines, award periods, reporting requirements, renewal dates, and closeout activities.
• Partner to gather budgets, data, training plans, and supporting documentation.

Compliance and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records for apprenticeship programs, grant funding, participant progress, OJT hours, and training outcomes.
• Ensure programs meet applicable federal, state, grant, and apprenticeship requirements.
• Prepare reports for internal leaders and external funding partners.
• Track key outcomes such as funding secured, program participation, completion rates, retention, wage progression, credential attainment, and promotions.

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years of experience in workforce development, apprenticeship administration, grant writing, HR, training, education, or a related field.
• Experience researching, writing, managing, or reporting on grants or workforce funding programs.
• Strong project management, communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, stakeholders, and compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with data, budgets, documentation, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in workforce development, education, business, human resources, public administration, construction management, organizational development, or a related field.
• Experience with Department of Labor registered apprenticeships or state apprenticeship programs.
• Experience in construction, skilled trades, MEP, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, facilities, manufacturing, or technical workforce development.
• Knowledge of OJT funding, incumbent worker training grants, WIOA programs, workforce boards, or technical college partnerships.
• Experience developing training plans, competency models, wage progression schedules, or apprenticeship standards.