Workforce Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.

Kelso Industries is seeking a Workforce Programs Manager to work directly with the Director of L&D to build, fund, and support workforce training programs across Kelso and its operating companies. This role works with federal, state, local, and private organizations to secure funding for Department of Labor registered apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, incumbent worker training, and other employee development programs in the MEP+ space.

This role supports training pathways empowering employees growth from entry-level roles into skilled craft professionals, field leaders, project managers, and future business leaders in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, service, and related trade related roles.

Key Responsibilities

Apprenticeship and Workforce Development

• Support the development and administration of apprenticeship, OJT, and incumbent worker training programs across Kelso operating companies.
• Partner with Operation leaders, HR, Safety, Talent Acquisition, and Learning and Development to identify workforce needs and training opportunities.
• Manage all apprenticeship requirements, including training plans, OJT hours, wage progression, participant tracking, and completion documentation.
• Build partnerships with workforce boards, state apprenticeship offices, technical colleges, trade associations, schools, and private organizations.

Grant Strategy and Funding

• Research and identify funding opportunities that support apprenticeships, OJT, incumbent worker programs, technical training, and workforce development.
• Write, coordinate, and submit grant applications, proposals, reimbursement requests, and required reports.
• Maintain a grant calendar to track deadlines, award periods, reporting requirements, renewal dates, and closeout activities.
• Partner to gather budgets, data, training plans, and supporting documentation.

Compliance and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records for apprenticeship programs, grant funding, participant progress, OJT hours, and training outcomes.
• Ensure programs meet applicable federal, state, grant, and apprenticeship requirements.
• Prepare reports for internal leaders and external funding partners.
• Track key outcomes such as funding secured, program participation, completion rates, retention, wage progression, credential attainment, and promotions.

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years of experience in workforce development, apprenticeship administration, grant writing, HR, training, education, or a related field.
• Experience researching, writing, managing, or reporting on grants or workforce funding programs.
• Strong project management, communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, stakeholders, and compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with data, budgets, documentation, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, business, human resources, public administration, construction management, organizational development, or a related field.
• Experience with Department of Labor registered apprenticeships or state apprenticeship programs.
• Experience in construction, skilled trades, MEP, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, facilities, manufacturing, or technical workforce development.
• Knowledge of OJT funding, incumbent worker training grants, WIOA programs, workforce boards, or technical college partnerships.
• Experience developing training plans, competency models, wage progression schedules, or apprenticeship standards.

Why Join Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here you will experience:

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You'll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You'll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business