About Skilled US
At Skilled US, we believe in transforming lives through education and workforce readiness. We operate a full-service, brick-and-mortar adult education campus that blends rigorous instruction, career training, and holistic wraparound support. We are a bold, entrepreneurial, and student-first organization driven by our core values: Students First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude. We move fast, set the bar high, and work relentlessly to meet the evolving needs of our learners and the labor market.
Job Summary:
Skilled US is seeking a highly skilled and motivated
Welding Career & Technical Education Instructor to lead our welding pathway for high school students while also delivering workforce-ready programming for adults and opportunity youth. The Welding Instructor will provide hands-on, industry-aligned technical instruction that prepares learners for industry-recognized certifications, postsecondary transition, apprenticeship, or direct employment in welding and related skilled trades. In addition to technical welding instruction, this role will teach a structured workforce readiness curriculum designed to prepare both youth and adult learners for employment success, including employability skills, workplace professionalism, and career advancement planning.
This position blends technical instruction, classroom management, safety oversight, industry alignment, workforce readiness facilitation, and student mentorship. The ideal candidate is passionate about workforce development, understands employer expectations, and is committed to preparing learners of all ages for high-demand, high-wage careers.
Skilled US will be hiring one part-time instructor to support training delivery across multiple schedules. Instructors will support one of the following blocks based on availability and program need:
This role supports students in building critical career skills, including attendance, teamwork, leadership, communication, accountability, and jobsite safety, while helping them earn industry-recognized credentials aligned to employment and apprenticeship pathways.
Program Focus
Welding Pathway Includes:
- Introduction to Welding & Safety (OSHA-10)
- SMAW (Stick Welding)
- GMAW (MIG Welding)
- FCAW (Flux Core)
- Blueprint Reading & Measurement
- Metallurgy Basics
- Shop Math
- Welding Fabrication Projects
- NCCER Welding Certification Preparation
Workforce Readiness Programming Includes:
- Professional communication
- Workplace expectations and behavior
- Resume development and interview preparation
- Time management and accountability
- Career pathway mapping
- Financial literacy basics
- Job search strategy
- Employer engagement preparation
Instruction & Curriculum Delivery
- Deliver high-quality, hands-on welding instruction aligned to applicable state IET standards.
- Teach welding processes, including SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and oxy-fuel cutting
- Prepare students and adult learners for OSHA-10 and industry-recognized credentials.
- Deliver a structured workforce readiness curriculum to high school students, adults, and opportunity youth.
- Integrate technical math, blueprint reading, and employability skills.
- Differentiate instruction to support diverse learners across age groups.
Safety & Lab Management
- Maintain a safe and compliant welding lab environment.
- Enforce PPE and OSHA safety standards.
- Conduct regular equipment inspections and maintain safety logs.
- Ensure proper ventilation, storage, and tool accountability.
Student & Participant Development
- Support learners in building employability skills and professional behaviors.
- Reinforce attendance expectations, workplace norms, and accountability.
- Assist learners with certification preparation and credential documentation.
- Support internship, apprenticeship, and work-based learning placements.
- Track progress for both youth and adult participants.
Employer & Industry Engagement
- Build relationships with local employers, unions, and apprenticeship programs.
- Support employer site visits and guest speakers.
- Align instruction with labor market needs.
- Participate in advisory committee meetings.
- Support transition from training to employment.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate attendance, grade, and performance records.
- Track credential attainment and workforce readiness milestones.
- Document work-based learning hours.
- Support state and grant reporting requirements for both youth and adult programs.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Ability to obtain a Valid Indiana Workplace Specialist License, or eligibility based on 5+ years of documented welding industry experience.
- Proficiency in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and oxy-fuel cutting.
- OSHA-10 or OSHA-30 certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Strong classroom management and communication skills.
- NCCER Instructor Certification (or willingness to obtain).
- AWS (American Welding Society) certification desired.
- Experience teaching high school youth, adults, or mentoring apprentices.
- Experience in workforce development or opportunity youth programming.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical welding expertise.
- Ability to teach both high school students and adult learners.
- Safety-first mindset.
- Strong facilitation skills for workforce readiness programming.
- Ability to manage shop-based classroom environments.
- Strong mentorship and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to student and participant career outcomes.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs.
- Ability to demonstrate welding techniques.
- Comfortable working in industrial lab settings.
Performance Expectations
- Maintain ≥85% learner completion rate.
- ≥80% credential pass rate.
- Strong employer engagement and WBL participation.
- Positive classroom and shop culture.
- 100% safety compliance.
- Successful delivery of workforce readiness programming with documented participant outcomes.
Our Core Values:
- Student First: Ensure all interactions prioritize students' needs.
- Respect: Treat others with dignity and fairness.
- Determination: Approach challenges with hard work and resilience.
- Continuous Improvement: Strive for growth and better outcomes every day.
- Gratitude: Demonstrate appreciation for the opportunity to serve our students and community.
This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Please read carefully.
Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.
By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.
You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.
