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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Employment Trainer

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

Human ResourcesSocial ServicesEducationNon-ProfitCoaching

🎯 Role Definition

As an Employment Trainer, you are the catalyst for career transformation. You will be responsible for equipping diverse individuals with the necessary skills, confidence, and strategies to successfully navigate the job market. This role combines teaching, coaching, and networking to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. You will design and deliver impactful training workshops, provide one-on-one guidance, and build strong community partnerships to create pathways to sustainable careers for your clients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Case Manager
  • Social Worker
  • HR Assistant / Recruiter
  • Community Outreach Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Employment Trainer / Lead Trainer
  • Workforce Development Program Manager
  • Career Services Director
  • Corporate Trainer

Lateral Moves:

  • Career Counselor (Education or Private Practice)
  • HR Generalist or Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Non-Profit Program Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, develop, and facilitate engaging group workshops and training sessions on essential job readiness topics, including advanced resume/cover letter writing, impactful interviewing techniques, professional networking, and digital literacy.
  • Conduct in-depth one-on-one coaching and counseling sessions to assess clients' skills, work history, interests, and personal barriers to employment.
  • Collaborate with clients to create customized, actionable Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) that outline clear career goals and the strategic steps needed to achieve them.
  • Proactively build and maintain a robust network of relationships with local employers, industry leaders, and hiring managers to source job leads and create placement opportunities for clients.
  • Provide comprehensive case management services, meticulously tracking client progress, providing continuous support, and connecting them with ancillary services like housing, transportation, and childcare resources.
  • Prepare clients for specific interviews through intensive mock interview sessions, providing constructive feedback on their communication style, STAR method responses, and overall professional presentation.
  • Coach clients on modern and effective job search strategies, including navigating online job boards, leveraging professional networks like LinkedIn, and tapping into the hidden job market.
  • Follow up with clients and employers post-placement to provide critical job retention support, mediate potential workplace issues, and ensure a successful long-term employment outcome.
  • Administer and interpret various vocational and career assessment tools to help individuals identify their core strengths and align them with suitable and fulfilling career pathways.
  • Stay current with local and national labor market trends, in-demand industries, and wage information to provide relevant, timely, and strategic advice to clients.
  • Meticulously document all client interactions, milestones, progress, and outcomes in a case management system or database in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Teach clients essential workplace etiquette and professional soft skills, such as effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, to foster long-term career growth.

Secondary Functions

  • Develop and continuously update training curriculum and workshop materials to ensure content is modern, relevant, and meets the evolving needs of both clients and employers.
  • Represent the organization at job fairs, community outreach events, and professional networking functions to promote services and cultivate strategic partnerships.
  • Guide individuals in developing a compelling professional brand, including creating an effective LinkedIn profile and learning how to network confidently both online and in person.
  • Identify and address potential barriers to employment, such as lack of credentials, transportation issues, or justice-involved backgrounds, and develop creative strategies to overcome them.
  • Generate regular reports on key program metrics, including client enrollment, workshop attendance, job placements, and retention rates, to demonstrate program effectiveness.
  • Adapt training delivery methods and materials to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants.
  • Liaise with internal departments and external community agencies to create a holistic support system for clients, ensuring all their needs are effectively met.
  • Provide guidance on salary negotiation, benefits comprehension, and accepting job offers to empower clients to advocate for themselves professionally and financially.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Curriculum Development & Instructional Design: Ability to create engaging, effective training materials and programs for adult learners.
  • Career Assessment Tools: Proficiency in administering and interpreting tools like Myers-Briggs (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory, or similar assessments.
  • Labor Market Analysis: Strong knowledge of local labor market trends, in-demand jobs, and employer requirements.
  • Case Management Software: Familiarity with CRM and case management platforms (e.g., Salesforce, ETO, Apricot).
  • Advanced Resume/Interview Coaching: Expertise in modern resume formats, ATS optimization, and behavioral interviewing techniques (STAR method).
  • Digital Proficiency: High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet).

Soft Skills

  • Motivational Coaching & Counseling: A genuine ability to inspire, motivate, and guide individuals through challenges with patience and positivity.
  • Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build rapport and communicate clearly and effectively with diverse populations, from clients to employers.
  • Empathy & Cultural Competency: High emotional intelligence and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and life experiences.
  • Public Speaking & Group Facilitation: Confident and engaging presentation skills, with the ability to manage group dynamics and foster participation.
  • Networking & Relationship Building: A natural ability to connect with people and build a strong, active network of employer and community partners.
  • Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and flexible approach to overcoming client barriers and navigating changing program needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree.
  • Relevant certifications such as Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) or Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Resources
  • Social Work
  • Psychology or Counseling
  • Education
  • Sociology or Human Services

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of direct experience in workforce development, career counseling, recruiting, social work, or a related field.

Preferred:

  • Proven track record of successfully placing individuals in sustainable employment.
  • Experience working with diverse and/or underserved populations (e.g., veterans, individuals with disabilities, returning citizens, long-term unemployed).
  • Bilingual abilities are highly desirable.
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