Workforce Development Coordinator

West Memphis School District•West Memphis, AR

About The Position

The Coordinator of Workforce Development provides leadership in designing, implementing, and expanding career readiness, apprenticeship preparation, and workforce-aligned pathways for students. The position ensures that district programming aligns with regional labor market needs, industry standards, and entry requirements, and postsecondary opportunities to prepare students for high-demand careers. The Coordinator will also work with the Business Manager to ensure the appropriate tracking of fixed assets, review budget proposals and funding requests, and recommend changes, manage the Invenergy budget to promote STEAM opportunities for students and the district. Work with school leaders and the district-level team to ensure the successful implementation of the WMSD strategic plan.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Education, Workforce Development, Business Administration, or related field (preferred).
Experience in K–12 education, CTE programming, workforce development, or industry leadership.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of apprenticeship systems and trade union entry requirements preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and manage multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive district-wide workforce development plan aligned to the district’s strategic goals.
Establish measurable workforce readiness benchmarks and postsecondary success indicators.
Analyze regional labor market trends to guide program development and pathway expansion.
Industry & Union Partnerships Build and maintain partnerships with local businesses, trade unions, apprenticeship programs, and workforce agencies.
Serve as district liaison to apprenticeship coordinators and training centers.
Coordinate internship, apprenticeship, co-op, and job shadowing opportunities.
Career Pathways & Programming Support dual enrollment, industry credentialing, and certification opportunities.
Collaborate with counselors and administrators to integrate career exploration into K–12 programming.
Trade Union & Apprenticeship Exam Preparation Develop and implement structured preparation programs for apprenticeship entrance examinations.
Coordinate math preparation focused on arithmetic, applied measurement, algebra basics, and problem-solving.
Provide or coordinate after-school, summer programs, or bootcamp-style instructional support for students seeking entry into skilled trades.
Partner with local apprenticeship programs to align preparation materials with current testing expectations.
Monitor student performance on entrance exams and adjust programming to improve pass rates.
Curriculum & Instruction Alignment Collaborate with academic leadership to align curriculum with workforce competencies and real-world applications.
Promote the integration of applied mathematics and trade-based problem-solving into relevant coursework.
Support the development of pre-apprenticeship coursework or electives aligned with entry standards.
Student Readiness & Employability Skills Support the development of employability skills, including communication, teamwork, professionalism, and problem-solving.
Coordinate career fairs, industry panels, and workforce exposure events.
Data & Accountability Track and report student participation in workforce programs, apprenticeship placement, and credential attainment.
Prepare reports for administration and the School Board of Directors.
Grant Development & Funding Identify and pursue local, state, and federal funding opportunities related to workforce and apprenticeship initiatives.
Manage grant compliance and reporting requirements.
Complete any other duties assigned by the Superintendent or administrative team.