Industry Lab Workforce Development Specialist
Listed on 2026-07-07
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Education / Teaching
Training Instructor / Specialist, Carpentry
Description
The Industry Lab Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for planning, facilitating, and overseeing engaging workforce development experiences for high school-aged youth members at the Woodlands Impact Center. This position combines hands-on workforce development programming with youth development and mentoring to help members build employability skills, career awareness, leadership abilities, and mechanical aptitude.
The Industry Lab Workforce Development Specialist leads daily Industry Lab / Build Lab activities, supports the Impact Center Pre-Apprenticeship Program, and assists with the Impact Crew workforce experience program. Through project-based learning, career exploration, and hands-on experiences, this role helps prepare members for future education, training, and employment opportunities.
The Industry Lab Workforce Development Specialist creates a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where members can develop workplace competencies, technical skills, confidence, and a strong work ethic while exploring various career pathways in the skilled trades and beyond.
Skills This Role Develops in Youth Members- Hands-on trades skills: construction, fabrication, woodworking, electrical basics, plumbing fundamentals, HVAC awareness, and welding introduction
- Tool literacy: safe and proper use of hand tools, power tools, measuring instruments, and job-site equipment
- Trades math: measurements, fractions, unit conversions, area/volume calculations, and material estimation
- Health & safety culture: OSHA basics, PPE habits, ergonomics, and jobsite hazard awareness
- Problem-solving & critical thinking: diagnosing issues, selecting the right approach, and iterating solutions
- Work ethic & professionalism: punctuality, reliability, taking pride in craftsmanship, and following through
- Communication & self-advocacy: asking for help, giving and receiving feedback, and speaking up about safety concerns
- Actively and collaboratively engage as a team member with Impact Center staff to meet program goals.
- Demonstrate leadership to support conduct, safety, life skills, employability skills, and workforce readiness goals.
- Plan, prepare, and administer daily Industry Lab experiences and workforce development activities while supervising high school-aged members.
- Develop written experience plans detailing activity objectives, materials required, procedures, and life and employability skills addressed.
- Deliver program objectives consistent with organizational goals, mission, and workforce development outcomes.
- Record daily attendance and participation.
- Ensure members receive instruction, guidance, and constructive feedback to develop technical, leadership, and employability skills.
- Recognize and reinforce positive behavior, teamwork, professionalism, and achievement.
- Continuously evaluate experiences and adapt programming to meet member interests and workforce trends.
- Serve as a positive mentor and role model with a sincere interest in each member's success.
- Model and teach the habits of skilled tradespeople: patience, precision, pride in work, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Support members in setting short- and long-term goals & academic, career, and personal - helping them to track progress over time.
- Facilitate hands-on projects that develop mechanical aptitude, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and technical skills.
- Lead activities related to construction, fabrication, woodworking, design, maintenance, tool safety, engineering concepts, and other workforce-related projects.
- Introduce members to core skilled trades disciplines including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, and masonry through exploratory projects and demonstrations.
- Teach proper tool identification, maintenance, and safe operation of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments and reinforcing the habits of professional tradespeople.
- Incorporate trades math into daily activities: fractions, measurements, material estimation, area/volume calculations, and reading a tape measure accurately.
- Guide members in reading and…
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