Manager of Apprenticeship & Corporate Training (Electric Utility – Non-Union)

CW Wright Construction Co LLC•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Manager of Apprenticeship & Corporate Training is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the company’s non-union, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry–approved registered apprenticeship program and all corporate training initiatives supporting electric utility operations. Aligned with the company’s Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) framework, this role focuses on building and sustaining training and apprenticeship systems that anticipate human error, strengthen critical risk controls, and promote organizational learning. Reporting to the Director of EHS, this position serves as the operational owner for apprenticeship compliance, training delivery, instructor oversight, veteran education benefits administration, and regulatory alignment. Reporting to the Director of EHS, this role is accountable for developing a competent, resilient, and safety-focused workforce through effective apprenticeship administration and corporate training leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Education, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7–10 years of experience in electric utility operations, safety, training, or workforce development.
Demonstrated experience administering a Virginia-approved registered apprenticeship in a non-union environment preferred.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations applicable to electric utility and construction operations.
Experience working with regulatory agencies, auditors, and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to manage programs using systems-based and learning-focused approaches.

Nice To Haves

Background in electric utility line work, substation, or utility construction environments.
Professional safety credential, such as: CSP (Certified Safety Professional) CHST (Construction Health & Safety Technician) ASP (Associate Safety Professional) CUSP (Certified Utility Safety Professional) Or another recognized, equivalent professional credential applicable to electric utility operations
Formal training or demonstrated experience in Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) principles preferred.
OSHA Authorized Trainer (10-hour / 30-hour).
Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and electronic training and apprenticeship recordkeeping.
Strong coaching, facilitation, and leadership development skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Program Administrator for the Virginia-approved registered apprenticeship, ensuring full compliance with state requirements while fostering a learning-focused environment.
Administer apprenticeship standards, work processes, related instruction, wage progression, and completion requirements.
Maintain, revise, and submit apprenticeship documentation, curricula, and updates in coordination with Virginia DOLI representatives.
Oversee apprentice recruitment support, onboarding, progression tracking, evaluations, wage advancements, and completions.
Evaluate apprentice performance using a systems and learning lens, distinguishing between human error, at-risk behavior, and willful violations.
Act as the primary point of contact for state audits, compliance reviews, and corrective actions.
Manage all company-wide training programs, including safety, technical, regulatory, leadership, and compliance training.
Ensure training is designed to anticipate error, reinforce critical controls, and manage high-energy hazards inherent to electric utility work.
Oversee curriculum development emphasizing hazard recognition, situational awareness, decision-making, and field-level problem solving.
Manage instructor qualification, training delivery, refresher requirements, and training effectiveness evaluations.
Measure training effectiveness using leading indicators, field feedback, audits, and performance data—not completion metrics alone.
Manage and administer the company’s participation in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® programs for eligible veterans enrolled in the apprenticeship program.
Ensure full compliance with GI Bill approval, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements, including apprentice enrollment status, training hours, wage progression, and program changes.
Serve as the primary point of contact for VA representatives, state approving agencies, and internal stakeholders regarding veteran participation.
Maintain accurate, auditable records supporting veteran eligibility, benefit usage, and payment verification.
Coordinate with HR, Payroll, and EHS to ensure timely and accurate submission of required documentation.
Integrate veteran participation into apprenticeship and training systems while maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.
Support veterans through clear communication of program requirements, benefits, and expectations consistent with the company’s learning-focused culture.
Maintain strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations applicable to electric utility construction, transmission, distribution, and substations.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, including Virginia DOLI, DOT, and client-specific requirements.
Monitor regulatory and client-driven changes and proactively integrate them into apprenticeship and training systems.
Ensure accurate documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting for all apprenticeship, training, and veteran education activities.
Partner with the Director of EHS to embed HOP principles into apprenticeship design, training delivery, and qualification processes.
Integrate lessons learned from incidents, near misses, and good catches into training curricula and apprenticeship content.
Promote psychological safety, open reporting, and learning conversations within training environments.
Use trend data, audits, and performance reviews to strengthen systems and reduce exposure to high-energy hazards.
Collaborate with Operations, HR, and Leadership to align training and apprenticeship programs with workforce readiness and operational needs.
Support workforce development, succession planning, and long-term talent pipeline strategies.
Maintain a visible leadership presence in training environments and periodic field engagement.