Vocational Education Program Consultant (1099)

DeVry University

About The Position

DeVry University is seeking an experienced vocational education leader for a project-based consulting engagement advising Product, Strategy, and Academics on opportunities to expand its workforce-aligned education portfolio. Initial work will assess the feasibility of a potential electrical technician/electrician-focused program and develop recommendations on market demand, program design, delivery model, operating requirements, and financial viability. Subject to the feasibility assessment and institutional approval, the engagement may extend to detailed program design and launch planning. The consultant will assess industry standards, licensure pathways, and employer demand, and recommend a potential program to prepare graduates for relevant entry-level employment, apprenticeship opportunities, and, where applicable, future licensure requirements. The engagement is structured around defined deliverables and project phases. Workload may vary with project requirements and milestones, with an estimated 20–40 hours per week during business-case and design phases. Potential phase deliverables include a business case, program blueprint, and launch plan, with established review gates.

Requirements

Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in the electrical trade.
Direct experience designing, launching, and scaling vocational, CTE, or workforce programs at a higher education institution, community or technical college, trade school, or workforce-development organization.
Working knowledge of NEC, NCCER, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship standards, and state electrical licensure structures.
Business and operating fluency, including the ability to advise on program P&L, staffing models, equipment capital requirements, and enrollment economics as well as instructional design.
Track record of developing employer partnerships and apprenticeship or job-placement pathways.

Nice To Haves

Licensed electrician, master electrician, or equivalent relevant industry credential.
Prior experience as a program director, dean, or department leader in a trades or workforce setting.
Experience with competency-based or clock-hour program models and accreditor or state-approval processes.
Familiarity with hybrid lab-plus-online delivery models for hands-on trades.

Responsibilities

Partner with Product and Strategy to develop a business case covering labor-market demand, wage outcomes, competitive landscape, potential physical lab investments, site considerations, enrollment potential, and unit economics.
Clearly distinguish validated market facts, working assumptions, and recommendations to support a leadership go/no-go decision.
Advise on potential pricing, cohort sizing, delivery models such as hybrid lab and online theory, and capital and staffing considerations for hands-on instruction.
Develop recommendations for a potential program's competency framework, course sequence, clock- or credit-hour structure, and lab and equipment requirements.
Assess alignment with the National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70), NCCER Core and Electrical curricula, OSHA 10/30, relevant state licensure requirements, and U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship requirements.
Recommend potential articulation pathways into apprenticeships and journey-level opportunities, including IBEW/NECA and other union or independent-contractor pathways, where applicable.
Advise on the potential development of an employer or industry advisory board to ensure recommendations reflect current field practices and hiring needs.
Recommend policies, processes, and outcome measures to assess alignment with applicable employment, apprenticeship, and state examination entry requirements.
Advise Academics on potential faculty qualifications, lab-safety instructor-to-student ratios, equipment sourcing, and facilities or lab-partner models.
Identify accreditation, state authorization, and program-approval considerations relevant to a potential skilled-trades diploma or degree program.
Develop recommendations and an implementation roadmap to inform a potential program launch, subject to institutional review and approval.