Program Manager

Support Ontario Youth is non-profit organization specializing in the skilled trades and apprenticeship pathway across the construction, industrial and motive power sectors. We are looking to hire a Program Trade Manager to help support our fast paced, driven, focused, and ever-expanding organization.

The Program Trade Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with employers, apprentices, and industry partners to support the growth of SOY’s Group Sponsorship program. Acting as a key representative and ambassador for SOY, the Trade Manager focuses on recruiting new employers and apprentices, strengthening relationships with existing partners, and promoting apprenticeship pathways within the skilled trades.

Reporting directly to the Director of Workforce Development and working day-to-day under the guidance of the Lead Trade Manager, this position plays a critical role in employer engagement, apprentice onboarding, and industry outreach. The Trade Manager works closely with the Apprenticeship Coordinator to register apprentices while ensuring a smooth handoff once new apprentices are onboarded.

The Trade Manager also provides mentorship, coaching, and apprenticeship pathway guidance to apprentices and participants within SOY’s workforce development programs, while actively representing the organization in the community through events, industry committees, workshops, and presentations.

• Build and maintain relationships with employers participating in SOY’s Group Sponsorship program.
• Recruit and onboard employers and apprentices, promoting apprenticeship opportunities and SOY services.
• Assess employer workforce needs and connect hiring opportunities with qualified apprenticeship candidates.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, coaching, and support to apprentices throughout their apprenticeship journey.

• Support apprentice intake and registration processes in collaboration with the Apprenticeship Coordinator.
• Oversee the mentoring program, ensuring mentors and apprentices remain actively engaged and program objectives are achieved.
• Assist apprentices in navigating training pathways, workplace challenges, and career development opportunities.

• Represent SOY at industry events, employer meetings, trade associations, and community initiatives.
• Develop partnerships with employers, educational institutions, training providers, and community organizations to promote apprenticeship pathways and workforce development.
• Deliver presentations, workshops, and information sessions that raise awareness of careers in the skilled trades.

• Monitor employer and apprentice participation, outcomes, and key performance indicators.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting within SOY’s CRM and other tracking systems.
• Contribute to team planning, organizational initiatives, and continuous program improvement.

• Promote and support a safe, healthy, and professional work environment in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Post-secondary education in Business, Human Resources, Community Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Additional formal education in job development, recruitment, career coaching and pre-employment skills development is strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in employer engagement, recruitment, workforce development, business development, or relationship management.
• Experience in the skilled trades, apprenticeship system, or non-profit sector is considered an asset.
• Experience working with or in the skilled trades or apprenticeship pathway is an asset, but not required.
• Familiarity with the workings of a not-for-profit organization, an asset but not mandatory.

• Strong planning, time-management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills.
• Highly detail-oriented with demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder…