PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Reporting to the Executive Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Solutions, theDirector of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Programsprovides strategic leadership for the development, coordination, and scaling of a comprehensive, equity-centered work-based learning (WBL) and apprenticeship strategy across the districts colleges.
TheDirector of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Programsis responsible for cultivating sustainable industry partnerships, expanding career-connected learning opportunities, and ensuring alignment among academic programs, employer needs, and student success outcomes. The Director collaborates closely with college leadership, faculty, workforce teams, and external stakeholders to establish CCC as a leader in experiential learning and workforce development. Performs related duties as required
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Strategy, System Building & Management
- Collaborates with Executive Director of Workforce Solutions to lead the development and execution of a district-wide vision for work-based learning and apprenticeship that supports equitable student outcomes.
- Implements CCCs Work-Based Learning framework for scaling internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, cooperative education, clinical placements, and job shadowing across colleges and disciplines.
- Integrates WBL opportunities into academic pathways and student career development strategies.
- Supervises the day to day work of the Manager of Apprenticeship & Work Based Learning
Employer & Industry Engagement
Collaborates with employers to co-design WBL experiences aligned with in-demand skills and occupational competencies.Program Development & Coordination
- Develops and oversees a strategy for implementing and maintaining a districtwide registered apprenticeship framework.
- Supports colleges in launching and maintaining registered and non-registered apprenticeship programs, including managing program registration, implementation, and reporting.
- Provides technical assistance and tools for faculty and college staff to develop and manage WBL opportunities.
- Oversees the development of work process schedules, mentor training plans, student worksite agreements, and learning objectives.
Data, Evaluation & Compliance
- Collaborates with Workforce Solutions Data and Operations Manager to establish systems for tracking and reporting participation, outcomes, employer engagement, and equity metrics across all WBL programs.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local apprenticeship and labor laws, including Department of Labor requirements for Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).
- Leverages data to drive continuous improvement, secure funding, and inform district leadership.
Collaboration & Capacity Building
- Serves as a strategic thought partner to academic affairs, workforce development, career services, and student support departments.
- Leads communities of practice, trainings, and workshops to build WBL capacity across the districts colleges.
- Coordinates with grant teams to align WBL strategy with available funding opportunities (e.g., WIOA, state apprenticeship grants, philanthropic funding).
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports ToExecutive Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Solutions
Direct SupervisionManager-Apprenticeship & Work Based Learning
QUALIFICATIONS
- A Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education or a related field.
- Five years of progressively responsiblework experience in academic/business/industry management/workforce development
- College level curriculum development and teaching experience highly preferred
- Demonstrated experience establishing partnerships with business and civic organizations and higher education institutions
- Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing apprenticeship and work-based learning programs
- Knowledge of theories and best practices associated with apprenticeship, internship and other work-based learning programming at community colleges
- Understanding of industries and industry trends and their workforce needs
- Familiarity with academic policies and strategies for aligning programs of study with labor market needs
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment
- Ability to work with a high degree of professionalism
- Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations as needed
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
$92,866 - $100,000
Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.
Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/
WE OFFER:Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.
We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.Thank you for your interest in CCC!
TBD
Freqently Asked Questions
Directors in Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning uniquely blend strategic vision with operational oversight, focusing on creating equitable, scalable programs that align academic pathways with industry needs. Their role requires forging sustainable partnerships and managing multi-college initiatives, setting them apart from conventional academic or administrative positions.
Unlike typical directors, this role demands hands-on coordination of apprenticeship frameworks, close collaboration with workforce teams, and compliance with labor regulations. It intertwines educational leadership with employer engagement, requiring daily balancing of academic program alignment and industry skill trends to foster work-based learning opportunities.
Candidates often need advanced degrees in education or public administration, along with significant experience in workforce development and academic program design. Proven ability to build employer partnerships and manage registered apprenticeship frameworks is essential, as is knowledge of labor market trends and compliance with apprenticeship laws.
City Colleges of Chicago offers a distinctive platform blending urban educational leadership with workforce innovation. This role emphasizes equity-focused, district-wide program scaling and the chance to influence employer partnerships in a major metropolitan area, which is less common in other regional apprenticeship management positions.
The institution’s commitment to equity and community engagement shapes program strategies, demanding culturally responsive leadership and collaboration across diverse campuses. Directors must tailor apprenticeship initiatives to reflect local workforce demographics and student needs, fostering inclusive career pathways within Chicago’s dynamic economic landscape.
Salaries typically range from approximately $92,000 to $100,000 annually, reflecting the role's complexity and required expertise. Chicago’s competitive market for workforce development leaders supports this upper mid-level compensation, often supplemented by comprehensive benefits including pension and investment plans.
While not always mandatory, certifications in workforce development, project management, or registered apprenticeship administration can enhance candidacy. Familiarity with Department of Labor guidelines and local workforce investment boards’ standards is highly valued to ensure program compliance and funding alignment.
Navigating Chicago’s extensive transit system and traffic requires scheduling flexibility, especially when coordinating across multiple campuses and employer sites. Directors often balance remote coordination with on-site visits, making efficient time management crucial to maintain seamless program oversight within the city’s urban environment.
Rapid shifts in local industries, such as manufacturing and technology, demand continuous adaptation of program curricula and partnerships. Directors must anticipate skill shortages, foster employer collaboration, and integrate equity considerations to ensure apprenticeships remain relevant and accessible across diverse Chicago communities.
This position leverages robust data tracking systems to monitor participation, outcomes, and equity metrics. Analytics inform strategic decisions, support funding acquisition, and drive continuous enhancement of apprenticeship initiatives, ensuring programs effectively meet both student success goals and employer competency requirements.
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