Industry Training Operations Apprentice

WSU Tech•Wichita, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

WSU Tech’s National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) is seeking an exceptional, highly motivated individual to join our Aviation Workforce & Development team as an Industry Training Operations Apprentice. This is not a traditional entry-level position — it is a deliberate, structured leadership development program built around one purpose: preparing the right person to lead. Successful candidates who complete this apprenticeship will be positioned for advancement into director-level leadership within the Industry Training division. From day one, you will work directly alongside the Industry Training Director — learning the full scope of operations, building real employer relationships, managing financial workflows, and taking on progressively greater responsibility as you prove your readiness. If you are ambitious, accountable, and ready to invest 18–24 months into accelerated professional growth, this opportunity was built for you. Wage increases are tied to defined performance milestones — the faster you grow, the faster you advance.

Requirements

Associate Degree (required at time of hire)
Currently pursuing or will complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Workforce Development, Education, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or a related field during the apprenticeship period
Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities without loss of quality or accountability
Strong professional communication skills — written, verbal, and interpersonal — across diverse audiences including employers, college administration, and finance personnel
Comfort working with financial data, invoicing processes, or budget-related workflows
Professional demeanor with the ability to represent the institution credibly in employer-facing environments at all levels
Urgency, accountability, and genuine curiosity
Ability to build trust with people quickly
Drive to learn fast
Discipline to follow through when it counts
Professional presence to represent WSU Tech in high-stakes employer environments

Nice To Haves

Experience in workforce development, training coordination, higher education, operations, business development, or industry partnerships
Familiarity with contract development, grant documentation, or employer billing processes
Experience working across organizational boundaries with finance, operations, or external partners
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook

Responsibilities

Manage daily operations of the Industry Training division, ensuring training programs, schedules, and employer commitments are executed on time and without disruption to contracted services
Maintain primary responsibility for office administration, scheduling coordination, and operational workflow within the division
Adapt rapidly to shifting priorities, reassigned tasks, and evolving program needs — this role moves at the speed of business and requires composure under pressure
Track, manage, and meet hard deadlines tied to employer training contracts and delivery schedules; missed deadlines directly impact employer relationships and program credibility
Complete assigned projects and progressively assume increased operational responsibility throughout the apprenticeship period
Participate in a minimum of 20 hours of structured professional development activities
Build and sustain professional relationships with employers across all scales — from local and regional Wichita-area companies to national OEM partners such as Boeing, Textron, and other aviation industry leaders
Represent WSU Tech NCAT in employer meetings, site visits, and industry partnership discussions with professionalism and institutional knowledge
Identify workforce training needs and opportunities through active engagement with employer partners and workforce organizations
Support contract development, training proposals, and partnership negotiations under the direction of the Industry Training Director
Process and manage employer invoicing for training services, ensuring accuracy and timely submission in coordination with the WSU Tech Business Office
Support budget reconciliation for training contracts, tracking expenditures against contracted amounts and flagging variances
Serve as a consistent point of coordination between the Industry Training division and internal stakeholders including Finance, the Business Office, and other college departments
Interface regularly with external organizations — employer partners, funding agencies, and industry associations — on financial and contractual matters
Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and institutional financial policies