Program Manager – Alberta – Northwest Skills Institute

NO RELOCATION PROVIDED.

NO SPONSORSHIP FOR WORK VISA PROVIDED. MUST BE PRESENT IN CANADA AND ELIGIBLE TO WORK.

HYBRID WORK.

Who we are:

The Northwest Skills Institute, NW Skills, is a training organization that delivers skills development and employment programs for individuals seeking work in Canada’s key industries. Our focus is promoting individual and business competitiveness through skills development for:

Individuals seeking amazing careers, we offer technical courses and vocational certificate programs;
Employers, looking to hire or enhance their workforce, we offer an assortment of short duration, face-to-face training to upskill workers in key business areas, including train-the-trainer programs;
For non-profit and social benefit organizations, we are a training partner for employment and skills training programs to prepare their clients for job readiness and employment.

What we are looking for:

We are currently looking for a new program manager to join our team. You will be based on Edmonton, Alberta, but will oversee a team of Job Developers based in BC, Alberta and Ontario.

You will lead a technical training and job readiness program to help unemployed and/or under-employed individuals gain skills and work experience so they can seek employment in one of Canada’s priority industries. Many sectors are experiencing high-growth and in critical need of new workers. Training programs create a bridge to sustainable employment.

The Program Manager is responsible for successful delivery of the program. This includes liaising with recruitment partners (employment, social, religious, cultural, and service organizations), ensuring instructors and third-party trainers perform duties on budget and schedule, engaging with businesses so they are prepared to welcome work-term placements, case managing program participants to ensure their overall success, and to ensuring proper and accurate program reporting to the funder.

The Manager will respect standard project governance, finance and administrative procedures, as well as reporting protocols.

The Manager will be a key face of NW Skills to participants, partners and employers, and must easily be able to establish relationships with business owners and executives, human resource managers, as well as government officials.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Relationship Building

Engage and work with community and cultural-based organizations who are recruitment partners interested in supporting the training and development of their client base.
Communicate with stakeholders to gain community and industry support for the program.
Engage employers across the manufacturing sector to identify opportunities to place program participants for experiential work-terms.
Prepare and support employers to successfully host barriered and diverse participants and coaching them on how to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace.

Matching and Counselling

Interview, assess and recruit program participants.
Use digital tools to complete profiles of employers and available positions.
Proactively work with participants and businesses to find the best suitable match.
Advise and coach program participants through any skills gaps and other challenges.

Marketing

Work with Marketing staff to develop social media and marketing plan to promote the program, including in rural areas.
Work with cultural and community based organizations, government service providers and immigrant networking organizations to cross market and promote the program, including via local cultural media organizations.
Make presentations and lead seminars.

Program Management

Ensure that project milestones and outcomes are achieved.
Provide organizational oversight to sub-contractors and suppliers and work with them to improve their products to better meet the objectives and standards of the program.
Ensure program respects the budget and operating plan and that funds are managed according to established accounting policies and procedures.
Ensure that program activities respect the policies and procedures of the organization and the funding partner.
Ensure that regular reports are submitted.
Help support the review of the project’s goals and quality assurance metrics.
Identify the risks associated with program activities and take appropriate corrective action to control the risks
Provide support to Job Development team through regular check-ins

Who you are:

A self-motivated individual with outstanding communication skills, ability to work with both employers and clients alike.
You enjoy conversation and can easily form long-lasting relationships.
You have an inclusive outlook and can work with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures.
You have significant experience working with underrepresented groups ESL/EAL learners, persons with disabilities, those with limited work experience, mature workers, and potential at-risk youth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

Degree or certificate in a relevant discipline, preferably in Human Resources, Social Work or Career Development/Employment Counselling
Minimum of three years’ experience in recruitment, social work, or case management.
Experience working with new immigrants, youth, and barriered populations desired.
Experience with project management.
Strong organizational skills.
Certificated Career Development Practitioner desirable