Workforce Readiness Specialist na undefined

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Workforce Readiness Specialist supports students enrolled in accredited training. Success in this role is ensuring students enrolled in accredited training meet the necessary workforce readiness criteria before students are referred to the Workforce Solutions division, which is charged with placing graduates in entry-level jobs. The Workforce Readiness Specialist, reporting to the Student Success Manager, is responsible for assessing the workforce readiness of students in each training and documenting readiness in a Summit-customized workforce readiness dashboard. This includes assessing students against key workforce readiness criteria and producing progress reports on a continual basis, updating the leadership in the Education and Training Division. The Workforce Readiness Specialist will work closely with the Placement Specialists in Workforce Solutions, providing up-to-date student/candidate information, including accurate and complete resumes, and work readiness criteria to be processed for placement support and services. 

The Workforce Readiness Specialists work closely with student success specialists and training managers assessing student readiness. The Workforce Readiness Specialists (in both phases) will coordinate employer guest speakers (industry professionals, Human Resources, and other talent acquisition professionals) in partnership with the Volunteer Engagement Specialist, who will be securing volunteers for professional development opportunities as well as mock interviews. The Workforce Readiness Specialist will be accountable for ensuring a seamless experience for volunteers, training staff, and students. Mock interviews, a pivotal workforce readiness activity, embedded in the training division of the organization, will drive opportunity for high employer participation and volunteer engagement. Workforce Readiness Specialists are the key coordinators and drivers of mock interviews and ensure a top-notch, seamless experience at Summit Academy OIC. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conducting barrier and workforce readiness assessments 

• Conduct workforce readiness assessments at student orientations in partnership with student success specialists
• Introduce what workforce readiness entails at student orientations and in the classrooms relevant to the trainings.  
• Showcase how/what Summit will do during the 20-week journey and what students can anticipate. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date workforce readiness dashboards capturing all enrolled students 
• Attend staff meetings reporting on workforce readiness – Make recommendations and proactively problem-solve.  

Coordinate and schedule the employer volunteer experience supporting work readiness 

• Serve as liaison in the scheduling of volunteers between training managers/instructors and the volunteer engagement specialist to support the professional development course at Summit Academy OIC.
• In collaboration with the Volunteer Engagement Specialist, the Workforce Readiness Specialist is accountable for scheduling and coordinating all mock interviews.  Mock interviews are part-and-parcel of work readiness. 
• Ensure Placement Specialists are up-to-date on mock interview attendees and communicate all relevant information to placement specialists. Placement Specialists will drive the relationship-building leading to placement success, following graduation. 
• Prepare any supporting materials for volunteers engaging in professional development and other relevant classes. 
• Present volunteer employer participation at meetings ensuring training teams know what to anticipate each week
• Follow up with the Volunteer Coordinator on any feedback/ways to improve the employer volunteer experience

Administration, Coordination and Data Reporting   

• Responsible for creating schedules for volunteer engagement opportunities and mock interviews 
• Coordinate with marketing and communications to capture volunteer engagement moments in the classroom. 
• Maintain up-to-date student readiness data to produce accurate workforce readiness reports 
• Partner with student success specialists on barriers to ensure students advance in workforce readiness 
• Produce metrics and data to demonstrate % readiness in each training for Phase 1 and 2, respectively. 
• Conduct any other administrative duties as assigned by the Student Success Manager and/or Director of Education and Training and Executive Leadership.

Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and classroom environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as, computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Presentations, computer work, some filing required.  This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, use keyboarding skills, and bend or stand as necessary.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position may require long hours and occasional evening or weekend work.

TRAVEL

This position requires limited travel. Less than 5% each year.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Marketing and/or Communications, Business Development.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong sales-oriented approach with excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented with a passion for helping individuals succeed in their careers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate a dynamic work environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 3 years of experience in job placement, recruitment, or workforce development, preferably with a staffing firm or in a workforce training environment.
• Strong understanding of the job market and workforce development strategies, particularly for entry-level positions.
• Excellent communication, networking, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with employers.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems and job placement software.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

AAP/EEO