Career Academy & Pre-Apprenticeships Specialist

Youth Opportunities Unlimited • Cleveland, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Career Academy & Pre-Apprenticeships Specialist supports the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of Y.O.U.'s Career Academies and Pre-Apprenticeship initiatives. This position's responsibilities are dedicated to supporting Career Academies and related career exploration programs, while focusing on pre-apprenticeship participant tracking, data management, compliance monitoring, and reporting. This position serves as a key operational support role, ensuring Career Academies and Pre-Apprenticeship programs are delivered effectively, participants receive high-quality experiences, and data is collected, maintained, and reported accurately to City, County and State stakeholders. The Specialist works closely with employers, community partners, training providers, educational institutions, and internal staff to support pathways into high-growth, high-demand industries and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to provide career exploration, technical training, work readiness skills, and pathways into registered apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

Requirements

• Possess the ability to work well with internal and external customers and partners
• Have experience coordinating/managing multiple projects.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Have experience working with underrepresented communities in various demographic backgrounds
• Represent Y.O.U. professionally at community events, meetings, and industry gatherings.
• Must have valid transportation to/from Y.O.U. offices, partner organizations, and other community-based locations
• Must pass a background BCI/FBI check as a condition of employment.
• Belief and commitment to Y.O.U.’s mission, vision, and values.
• A clear belief in the value of collaboration and partnership to better deliver the Y.O.U. mission.
• Understanding or experience with program development
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive participant information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university preferred. An additional 4 years of work experience as detailed below can be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day activities related to Career Academies and career pathway initiatives.
• Support the implementation of Career Academies focused on high-growth and high-demand career sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, construction, skilled trades, and emerging industries.
• Coordinate schedules, participant enrollment activities, partner communications, site visits, guest speakers, work experiences, and academy events.
• Assist with Career Academy recruitment efforts by collaborating with schools, community partners, and internal program staff.
• Monitor participant engagement, attendance, completion rates, and program outcomes.
• Support employer and community partner relationships through regular communication and follow-up.
• Collect participant success stories, testimonials, photos, and program highlights for reporting and communications purposes.
• Maintain accurate participant, partner, and program records within Salesforce and other systems of record.
• Support year-round career exploration opportunities by connecting participants to site visits, credential training, internships, apprenticeships, and workforce development opportunities.
• Attend community meetings, recruitment events, partner meetings, and Academy-related activities as needed.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for participant tracking and data management related to Y.O.U.'s pre-apprenticeship initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records of participant enrollment, attendance, training completion, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and apprenticeship placements.
• Prepare and submit required reports, rosters, participant outcome documentation, and supporting materials in accordance with State of Ohio and other funding requirements.
• Monitor and verify data quality, completeness, and compliance across all pre-apprenticeship activities.
• Collaborate with training providers, apprenticeship sponsors, educational institutions, employers, and workforce development agencies to collect required program information.
• Conduct participant follow-up activities to document employment, training, educational, and apprenticeship outcomes.
• Assist with audits, monitoring visits, performance reviews, and program evaluations.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, and tracking tools that support program management and reporting requirements.
• Identify data discrepancies and implement corrective actions to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Stay informed regarding state and federal pre-apprenticeship policies, reporting requirements, and best practices in apprenticeship pathway development.
• Utilize Salesforce and other approved systems to maintain participant, partner, and program records.
• Assist with outcome evaluation efforts and performance measurement activities.
• Support continuous improvement efforts through data analysis and participant feedback collection.
• Ensure participant records are maintained in accordance with organizational policies and funding requirements.
• Assist with grant reporting and performance documentation as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision benefits available with coverage beginning the first of the month following date of hire.
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous paid time off package including 17 paid holidays
• Professional Development Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree