Construction Instructor - NCCER CORE

About Skilled US

At Skilled US, we believe in transforming lives through education and workforce readiness. We operate a full-service, brick-and-mortar adult education campus that blends rigorous instruction, career training, and holistic wraparound support. We are a bold, entrepreneurial, and student-first organization driven by our core values: Students First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude. We move fast, set the bar high, and work relentlessly to meet the evolving needs of our learners and the labor market.

Job Summary: 
The Construction Instructor is more than an educator—this role is a mentor, industry leader, and career coach who delivers the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) CORE curriculum to two audiences under one roof: high school scholars in the Career YouthBuild program and adult learners in continuing education. Whether a student is sixteen or forty-six, the instructor meets them where they are and moves them toward industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeship, and lifelong career success. This role is built on hands-on training, where learners learn by doing in a real-world construction environment. Anchored in NCCER CORE: Introductory Craft Skills, the instructor integrates essential-skills instruction into career and technical education, ensuring students develop the technical expertise, safety discipline, and professional habits the trades demand. Beyond technical training, students gain the employability skills—teamwork, attendance, leadership, communication, and accountability—that are essential in both life and work.

The NCCER CORE Credential — Heart of This Role

This is an NCCER CORE instructional role. The instructor delivers NCCER CORE: Introductory Craft Skills, the foundational, portable credential every NCCER craft pathway is built on, and guides learners from CORE into craft-specific Level 1 modules and on to employment or registered apprenticeship. All completions are entered into the NCCER Registry as stackable, nationally recognized credentials. NCCER CORE modules taught include: Basic Safety (OSHA 10), Introduction to Construction Math, Introduction to Hand Tools, Introduction to Power Tools, Introduction to Construction Drawings, Basic Rigging, Basic Communication Skills, Basic Employability Skills, and Introduction to Material Handling.

• Holds—or completes within the first year—the NCCER Craft Instructor Certification (ICTP) in the CORE area, and maintains Master Trainer/lead-instructor eligibility as required.
• Differentiates delivery for two populations: youth pedagogy for high school scholars and adult-learning principles (andragogy) for continuing-education learners, without lowering the credentialing bar for either.
• Builds seamless CORE-to-craft pathways so a high school scholar and an adult career-changer can both leave with the same industry-recognized NCCER credential.

Key Responsibilities
Curriculum, Instruction & Credentialing

• Plan, prepare, and deliver NCCER CORE and related craft curriculum aligned with NCCER standards and the Indiana Department of Education Career & Technical Education standards.
• Provide hands-on instruction in construction fundamentals, ensuring learners develop technical skills, safety discipline, and workplace readiness.
• Supervise and support learners in the lab and at active construction/renovation sites, enforcing OSHA and site-safety standards at all times.
• Administer NCCER module tests and performance profiles; deliver, track, and submit certification records to the NCCER Registry to secure credential attainment.
• Assess student learning outcomes and modify instructional processes to meet stated learning objectives for each class and each audience.
• Maintain and upgrade required licensure and NCCER instructor certification through ongoing continuing education.
• Represent the Career YouthBuild program and Skilled US with professionalism at all times.

Dual-Audience Delivery — High School & Adult Education

• Teach both scheduled high school CTE cohorts and adult continuing-education sections, adjusting pace, examples, and coaching to each group.
• Serve, when needed, in a consulting role to help employer partners address organizational and workforce-development needs.
• Engage every learner in the learning process and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Work-Based Learning & Employer Engagement

• Establish and maintain relationships with area employers, trade unions, and community organizations in the construction industry.
• Oversee student work-based learning, ensuring authentic, real-world construction experience for youth and adult learners alike.
• Develop and maintain dual-credit and articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions.
• Manage vendor and industry partnerships to align equipment, curriculum, and training with Skilled US's needs.

Program Development, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate student records, including attendance, assessments, credential tracking, and progress reports.
• Assist in developing and improving construction programs in alignment with NCCER and industry standards.
• Manage program resources, including tools, materials, and construction-site operations.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines for workforce-training programs (e.g., CTE/CSA, WIOA Title I & II, YouthBuild).
• Implement industry best practices for compliance tracking and reporting, and lead continuous-improvement initiatives that expand access and outcomes for underserved communities.
• Stay informed on emerging trends in construction technology, workforce development,
• and career-training methodology.

Student & Community Engagement

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, employers, and school and program administrators.
• Support learners in making informed career decisions and achieving long-term employment success.
• Facilitate mentorship, leadership development, and career coaching.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the administration.

Qualifications & Skills
Required

• High school diploma or High School Equivalency, and one of the following:
  • Eligibility for a valid Indiana Workplace Specialist License based on 3–5 years of construction industry experience (secondary/CTE pathway)
  • or a minimum of 7 years of construction or related-trade industry experience (e.g., Master Carpenter, Master Welder, Master Electrician) for the adult-education pathway.
• Hold, or be willing to complete within the first year, the NCCER Craft Instructor Certification (ICTP) in the CORE area.
• Strong understanding of construction fundamentals, including basic construction principles and site selection; residential construction with full ability to execute remodels and stick builds; material preparation and heavy-equipment operation; utility location, rigging, and concrete work; and road, bridge, and infrastructure construction
• Ability to supervise and mentor learners in hands-on, work-based learning environments.
• Verifiable work experience outside of education.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in computer applications related to instruction and student management, and willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.

Preferred

• Ten (10) years of subject-related industry experience; teaching or corporate-training experience.
• NCCER Master Trainer status, or certification in a construction trade (e.g., Master Welder, Master Electrician).
• CDL license, or the ability to obtain one.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) or YouthBuild / U.S. Department of Labor program experience.
• Knowledge of CTE/CSA, WIOA Title I & II, YouthBuild, and workforce-training programs,and familiarity with compliance-tracking and workforce-development platforms.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of course-delivery processes, adult-learning principles, and curriculum and training design for individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of assessing student learning outcomes and of the subject matter and its application to the craft being taught.
• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and safety strategies to protect people, property, and data on the worksite.
• Skill to implement new strategies and procedures, and to examine and re-engineer existing processes.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and modify instructional processes, and to coordinate meetings and special events.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a diverse community.

Physical Effort, Working Conditions & Schedule

Physical Effort: Moderate to active physical activity, including lifting, pushing, and pulling classroom furniture, materials, tools, and equipment up to 30 pounds; standing for extended periods; and keyboard manipulation. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Working Conditions: Work is performed on-site across classroom, lab, and active construction/renovation environments. This is a 100% in-person position; essential duties must be performed in person during prescribed work hours.

Work Schedule: Varies by class and project assignment. High school cohorts generally meet during weekday school hours, while adult continuing-education sections may meet evenings or Saturdays, in short sessions over several weeks or consecutive full days. Some evening and/or morning work is required during class terms. Hours per week vary per assignment.

Why This Role Is Critical
The Construction Instructor is a life-changing role—one that doesn't just teach skills, it builds futures. Many learners who step into this program have never considered construction as a career. With the right instruction, mentorship, and real-world experience—and a portable NCCER CORE credential in hand—they can graduate ready to take on the world with confidence and purpose. Whether a student enters the workforce directly, joins an apprenticeship, or pursues further education, and whether they are a high school scholar or an adult starting over, the Construction Instructor ensures they are prepared, inspired, and excited for what's next.

Our Core Values

• Children First: Ensure all interactions prioritize students' needs.
• Respect: Treat others with dignity and fairness.
• Determination: Approach challenges with hard work and resilience.
• Continuous Improvement: Strive for growth and better outcomes every day.
• Gratitude: Demonstrate appreciation for the opportunity to serve our students and
• community.

 This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.

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