Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Training Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Vocational Training Intern is a dynamic and supportive role at the heart of our workforce development initiatives. This position is designed for an emerging professional who is passionate about empowering individuals by helping them acquire the skills and confidence needed for meaningful employment. The intern will work directly with our training team and program participants, gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in all facets of adult learning, from curriculum support and facilitation to participant coaching and program logistics. This is a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, contributing directly to the success of our trainees and the impact of our programs.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Current undergraduate or graduate students in a relevant field of study.
Recent graduates seeking practical experience in workforce development or adult education.
Career changers with a passion for teaching, coaching, and social impact.

Advancement To:

Training Coordinator
Workforce Development Specialist
Vocational or Career Counselor
Instructional Designer

Lateral Moves:

HR Generalist (with a focus on Learning & Development)
Corporate Trainer
Career Services Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist lead trainers in the delivery and facilitation of virtual and in-person vocational training workshops, seminars, and classes.
Prepare, organize, and distribute all necessary training materials, including participant handbooks, PowerPoint presentations, activity sheets, and digital resources.
Co-facilitate small group breakout sessions, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.
Provide one-on-one support and coaching to program participants, helping them with resume writing, cover letter development, and mock interviews.
Research and update training curriculum content to ensure it remains current, relevant, and aligned with industry standards and employer needs.
Administer and collect post-session feedback surveys and learning assessments to gauge participant comprehension and program effectiveness.
Coordinate the logistics of training sessions, including scheduling rooms, managing virtual meeting links, setting up A/V equipment, and tracking attendance.
Maintain and update trainee records and progress reports within our internal database or Learning Management System (LMS).
Observe and shadow experienced trainers to learn different facilitation techniques, classroom management styles, and instructional methods.
Assist in the development of new training modules or e-learning content by researching topics and helping to script or design materials.
Support the intake and orientation process for new cohorts of trainees, ensuring they have a clear understanding of program expectations.
Help organize and execute culminating events, such as hiring fairs, graduation ceremonies, or networking opportunities with local employers.
Document program activities, participant success stories, and key takeaways for internal reports and external communications.
Engage with participants to build rapport, acting as a motivational resource and a point of contact for their non-instructional questions.
Conduct research on labor market trends, in-demand skills, and potential employment partners to inform program strategy.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc requests for program data, such as compiling attendance statistics or feedback summaries for grant reporting.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of training programs by providing thoughtful observations and suggestions in team meetings.
Collaborate with program staff and community partners to understand participant needs and translate them into potential training objectives.
Participate in regular team meetings and planning sessions to review project progress and coordinate upcoming tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

High proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Google Workspace.
Familiarity with virtual meeting and presentation platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex.
An- understanding of, or willingness to quickly learn, a Learning Management System (LMS).
Basic knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design models is a strong asset.
Experience using survey tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to create and distribute questionnaires.
Excellent research skills for gathering information on industry trends, curriculum content, and community resources.

Soft Skills

Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate information clearly and engagingly.
Strong empathy, patience, and interpersonal skills, with a genuine desire to work with and support diverse populations.
-- Superior organizational and time-management abilities, capable of juggling multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
A proactive, resourceful, and self-motivated attitude with a strong eagerness to learn and take initiative.
Cultural competency and the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals from various backgrounds.
Creative problem-solving skills to adapt to unexpected challenges in a training environment.
A high degree of professionalism, maturity, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of an accredited college or university, typically at a junior, senior, or graduate level.

Preferred Education:

Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program or holding a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education / Adult Learning / Instructional Design
Human Resources / Organizational Development
Social Work / Counseling
Psychology / Sociology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years. We welcome candidates with a strong academic background and a demonstrable passion for the field.

Preferred: Prior internship, work, or volunteer experience in a role involving teaching, tutoring, mentoring, corporate training, or social services is highly desirable.