Workforce Development Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

This is a grant-funded position for 3 years and is subject to the availability of funds for continuation.

The Apprenticeship Navigator supports Boston Public Schools (BPS) students and recent graduates in accessing and succeeding in pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs. This role provides individualized coaching, career guidance, and coordination of support services to ensure participants successfully transition from high school into high-quality career pathways in the skilled trades and other high-demand industries.

This role is a part of the Boston Skilled Trades Initiative (BSTI), a citywide effort led by the Office of Workforce Development, in partnership with Boston Public Schools, labor unions, and industry partners, to expand access to high-quality career pathways in the skilled trades. The initiative connects students to hands-on training, pre-apprenticeship programs, and Registered Apprenticeships, creating a direct pipeline from high school to living-wage careers.

The Navigator will split their time between the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, working closely with students, families, school staff, BPS, and external partners to build equitable pathways into apprenticeship opportunities. This role will embed itself within the school community and regularly communicate and collaborate with high school students and their families, existing Madison Park staff (teachers, guidance counselors, support staff, admin, etc.), BPS administrators, and external partners like labor unions and training providers to help students transition into pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. The Apprentice Navigator will report to the Senior Program Manager of Postsecondary Success. 

• Provide individualized advising and coaching to high school seniors and recent graduates ages 16-24: setting short- and long-term personal and professional goals and developing postsecondary plans. 
• Work closely with youth, caregivers, BPS Staff, and partners to guide students through applications to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs.
• Conducting and documenting regular check-ins focused on persistence and program completion.
• Support students with resume development, interview preparation, and application requirements.
• Coordinate timelines and requirements with apprenticeship training providers and union partners.
• Track student transitions from high school to workforce programs, including demographic data, participation, persistence, completion, and job placement.
• Support grant reporting and program evaluation through regular updates and communications.
• Facilitate wraparound support coordination:  identifying barriers to participation and supports like childcare, transportation assistance, driver’s education, equipment, and more. 
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners to ensure student needs are met, including regular communication and support to students’ families/caregivers.
• Participate in student outreach events, career fairs, and information sessions for both students and their families/caregivers.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, Workforce Development, Counseling, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in workforce development, youth programming, career counseling, case management, apprenticeship programs, education, community engagement, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
  
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, especially with young adults & their caregivers/communities. 
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with students, families, educators, community organizations, employers, labor unions, and other stakeholders.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and support participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of workforce development programs, career pathways, apprenticeship models, postsecondary transitions, or related employment and training programs.
• Experience working with high school-aged youth, young adults, or underserved populations.
• Willingness to embrace new challenges.
• Experience in maintaining participant records, tracking outcomes, and utilizing databases or case management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support outreach events, career fairs, and family engagement activities.
• Ability and willingness to work independently and collaboratively.
  
• Ability to travel between assigned work locations, including Boston Public Schools sites and community partner locations.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Boston Public Schools or local workforce systems.
• Experience with apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or workforce training programs, especially in the skilled trades. 
• Knowledge of Boston neighborhoods and the workforce development landscape is strongly preferred.
• Multilingual skills (Spanish, Haitian-Creole, etc.). 

Work Environment:

• This role will be split between the Office of Workforce Development and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.
• We are hiring two roles, each role focused on a specific cohort of students. Given the nature of the program, the navigators will be expected to support evening programming a few days a week at Madison, flexing their schedules accordingly. 

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-6

Hours per week: 35