CRAFT TRAINING MANAGER

The Craft Training Manager is the operational and people leader of the Workforce Development (WFD) department at the regional level. Reporting to the Director of Workforce Development, this position manages a team of 3–8 Craft Trainers and WFD Specialists and is accountable for the quality, consistency, and impact of training delivery across all projects in the region. This role does not primarily train craft workers; it ensures the trainers who do are equipped, supported, and performing. Serving as the link between field execution and WFD strategy, the Craft Training Manager translates leadership needs into training plans that work on the jobsite, and translates what trainers see in the field into insights that shape program decisions. The ideal candidate has strong leadership, coaching, and planning skills, along with a deep understanding of craft trades, adult learning principles, and data-driven workforce planning.

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Conduct weekly check-ins with each Craft Trainer to review look-ahead schedules (Touchplan), Versatility Matrix (VM) update status, project feedback, and support needs, balancing accountability with professional development.
  • Provide daily coaching and field oversight through on-site observation and virtual check-ins, with consistent focus on facilitation quality and documentation discipline.
  • Complete at least one documented observation of each Craft Trainer every month, and use those records as the foundation for trimester 1:1 development conversations.
• Program Planning & Scheduling:
  • Review and approve project training requests daily, validating just-in-time alignment with field progression, alignment with the crew’s craft level, and existing qualifications on site (per the VM) before training is scheduled.
  • Monitor the training request queue so requests are fulfilled on time, and address recurring request issues directly with the General Superintendent.
  • Coordinate weekly with General Superintendents, and with HSE or Quality Managers as needed, to validate training priorities and manpower readiness ahead of crew mobilizations and scope transitions.
  • Align Craft Trainers’ three-week look-ahead schedules with project forecasts and the project Touchplan each week, identifying and correcting mismatches before they affect the field.
  • Provide direct field training coverage during trainer absences or peak workload periods, delivering to the same standard expected of the team.

• Data, Versatility Matrix & Reporting:
  • Validate Craft Trainers’ weekly VM updates for completeness, scoring accuracy, and timely entry, and address trainers who fall behind the same week.
  • Analyze regional training performance metrics, including participation rates, skill development trends, and VM progression, and submit a monthly summary with insights and recommendations to the Director of WFD.
  • Present a quarterly performance and impact summary to the Directors of Construction and WFD, connecting training completions, safety outcomes, and skill readiness to field results such as production trends, nonconformance rates, and crew readiness at mobilization.
  • Ensure all training activities meet company policies, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory standards, and that training records and certifications are accurately maintained in the company’s Learning Management System (LMS) and training databases.
• Cross-Functional Alignment:
  • Represent WFD at weekly project and field operations meetings, prepared with current training status, upcoming training plans, and manpower needs that carry training implications.
  • Participate in the monthly Field Operations forecast meeting with a 60–90 day view of trainer capacity versus projected project demand, bringing proposed solutions for any coverage gaps.
  • Partner with QA/QC, HSE, and Field Operations to align training with emerging field needs, nonconformance trends, and safety patterns, including participating in Joint Root Cause Analysis and recommending specific training responses to the Director of WFD.
  • Facilitate the quarterly WFD department review of module updates, process improvements, and system refinements, owning the agenda, decisions, and follow-up on action items.
  • Support the development and testing of new training modules through the T3 process, maintain standardized training materials, kits, and reference documentation, and own identified curriculum gaps from identification to solution.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in a skilled craft trade with at least 2 years in a training or supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing training programs and leading, coaching, and developing training staff in a construction or industrial environment.
• Experience managing a team distributed across multiple job sites, balancing on-site presence with virtual oversight.
• Experience with construction scheduling and look-ahead planning (e.g., Touchplan) and working directly with field leadership such as General Superintendents.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data such as skills or versatility matrices and present clear, actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Strong working knowledge of safety regulations, craft standards, and jobsite operations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• NCCER certification or OSHA Trainer certification is a plus.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel regularly between project sites within the assigned region.

Safety Level

This is a safety sensitive position and all applicable policies including drug test and background check will apply.