Manager, Powerline Apprenticeship and Training / IHSA

The MEARIE Group; Ontario (CA); Remote; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The MEARIE Group seeks a Manager for Powerline Apprenticeship and Training, responsible for overseeing training operations and ensuring compliance within health and safety standards. This role involves managing a team, developing training programs, and promoting safe workplace practices in the electrical sector.

Benefits

Competitive salary with a defined-benefit pension plan

Comprehensive benefits package including life insurance

Tuition assistance and membership reimbursement

Home office setup and ample vacation time

Wellness days and discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive operations and management experience required.
• Thorough knowledge of Electrical Utility Safety Rules needed.
• Advanced knowledge of the health and safety industry required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of training programs for Powerline Technician Training.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and legislative standards.
• Manage staff recruitment and development to meet program delivery needs.

Skills

Management

Coaching

Problem Solving

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business, Education, Occupational Health and Safety or related field

Certified (Red Seal) Powerline Technician

Registered Professional Trainer certification

Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) accreditation

Job description

Manager, Powerline Apprenticeship and Training

The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) is part of Ontario’s health and safety system, which includes the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and four health and safety associations. IHSA is a leader in health and safety education. Through skills-based training, auditing, and evaluation, we provide safety solutions to those who perform high-risk activities. Our goal is to support safe and healthy workplaces free from incidents, injuries, illnesses or fatalities.

Interested in learning more about who we are and what we do? Check out our podcast series: IHSA Podcast - IHSA Podcast IHSA Podcast (ihsasafetypodcast.ca)

Why should you join our team?

• Competitive salary with a defined-benefit pension plan for our employees.
• Comprehensive benefits package including life insurance coverage; dental plan, extended health care, and disability leave coverage.
• Support for personal and professional growth and development, tuition assistance and membership reimbursement, with an opportunity for potential career advancement.
• Home office set up, start at 3-weeks vacation, paid holiday shutdown, wellness days, and discounted gym membership as well.
• A meaningful, rewarding, and challenging career opportunity to make a positive impact in the health and safety industry.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Vice President, High Risk Activity Training & Operations, the Manager, Powerline Apprenticeship and Training oversees the day-to-day operations of a team of Powerline Technician Training and Apprenticeship Consultants and administrative staff to ensure training and consulting services that promote health, safety, wellness and the elimination of workplace injuries are provided to customers and IHSA members across the province.

DATE OF POSTING: July 14, 2025

LOCATION: Remote Work

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the management of the operations of training programs and Powerline Apprenticeship for IHSA members, customers and other stakeholders within the construction, electrical and transportation sectors across the province. Ensure programs are effectively delivered to support client/customer needs, optimal training consulting services are provided and all activities are in compliance with IHSA/legislated policies and practices and industry codes and standards.
• Direct the scheduling and delivery of all IHSA high risk activity training in assigned department and Powerline Apprenticeship programs, ensuring programs reflect current standards and training materials/equipment/space are available and accessible to training consultants, stepping in to deliver training as required to manage field staff workloads.
• Ensure ongoing operations are conducted in compliance with IHSA’s policies procedures and standards, best practices and terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement and the Broader Public Sector directives.
• Respond to training requests within and outside the province and internationally, providing quotes on delivery options and customizing programs to align with client needs, and regional, provincial and country and legislative differences and ensuring follow up delivery and evaluation.
• Oversee the effective delivery of quality customer training and services, conducting on-site inspections to monitor staff performance, conducting training sessions/presentations as required and ensuring availability of tools, equipment, training facilities, soliciting feedback on training quality and required updates.
• Coordinate Powerline Technician Training and Apprenticeship Consultants training schedules, the Skills Development Centre (“SDC”) classroom bookings, SDC practical training yard, at minimum 5 aerial devices/trucks, ensures availability and accommodation for any additional facility bookings, and ensures rooms are prepared for use.
• Manage, schedule and monitor the use, repair, maintenance, and legislated testing of at minimum 3 aerial devices, 1 radial boom derrick, 1 crane truck, and hydrovac units used for training at the SDC, including the coordination of this equipment use at off-site training facilities such as Cambrian College, St. Clair College, and western Powerline Technician training yard in Chatham, OSDC in Ottawa and facilities in Thunder Bay.
• Assign, schedule and oversee the delivery of multiple fifteen (15) week Line Crew Ground Support programs in various venues throughout the province and possible out of province venues if required. Collaborate with other managers on scheduling deliveries based on instructor availability, ordering course materials for delivery in a timely fashion, ensuring tools and equipment availability, as well as numerous other variables including equipment rental and weather.
• Review and confirm on all participant progress reports from instructors on all participants.
• Administer discipline including dismissal from the program for attendance and behavioural issues as required is decided collaboratively as necessary.
• Evaluate training knowledge uptake and application, conducting on-site employer/firm/apprentice inspections, developing testing/examination processes, ensuring student evaluations are completed and providing feedback to supervisors with recommendations on how to address issues.
• Identify new training program needs, conducting on-site inspections, determining gaps, collaborating with Program Development team members to facilitate the development of new training programs/products, and providing subject matter expertise and market knowledge input to ensure shifts in industry are recognized and client needs continue to be managed.
• Attend and coordinate Powerline Technician industry events, including scheduling staff and/or equipment for events, such as Electricity, Distribution, Information Systems and Technology Conference & Exhibition (“EDIST”), Skills Ontario, Canadian Utilities Equipment and Engineering Trade Show (“CUEE”), Partners in Prevention, etc.
• Manage the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (“MLITSD”) Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG), seat fee funding agreements, and other enhancement grants by researching pricing, developing a business case, complete accurate applications for funding, and ensure applications are submitted within assigned deadlines in order to maintain good standing with the funder.
• Provide support in the management of IHSA training facilities, assisting in renovations and upgrades, schedule preventative and emergency maintenance or repair work at SDC facility, while ensuring minimal disruption to training activities and ensure elimination of any hazards to staff and participants, assist in contractor management and issue resolution, and provide input into the acquisition and installation of training equipment.
• Coordinate the upkeep of the SDC facility, conducting regular inspections of facilities and grounds, liaise with property management regarding maintenance/landscape and snow removal of facility parking, practical training areas, entrances, ensuring the areas are clear and unobstructed, and manage any issues that may arise.
• Ensure supplies are ordered through the Facilities Coordinator; liaise with the custodial contractor/staff via email and the daily log report to ensure the facility is clean, prepared, and in safe condition.
• Provide advice and expertise to senior leaders, consulting staff, clients, IHSA members and customers to share information, provide updates, respond to queries, troubleshoot issues and provide effective solutions and/or alternative approaches.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, member and non-member firms, management, trade sectors and employer associations to determine service and training needs and provide recommendations for new programs/services or modifications to existing program/services.
• Promote IHSA services, programs and products, developing business partnerships with members, government agencies and ministries, trade associations, other health and safety associations, non member firms and other public bodies to understand needs, upcoming changes and new developments and identifying new business/sales/sponsorship opportunities.

Planning:

• Develop and execute department operational strategies, developing implementation plans in alignment with overall Division/IHSA strategies, determining staff goals and objectives, monitoring progress and ensuring deliverables are effectively managed.
• Monitor changing priorities, trends and emerging issues, identifying areas of potential impact to division/department strategic plans, operations and delivery of services and providing recommendations on addressing issues.
• Plan, forecast and manage the MLITSD seat agreements and Apprenticeship Enhancement Funds annually.
• Oversee the accuracy of IHSA Training Calendar to ensure accurate scheduling of instructors and booking of SDC, Voyager and OSDC and KCA as well as various venues throughout the province including customer sites.
• Coordinate facility and equipment repairs and maintenance as well as repairs and regular maintenance to training facilities with minimal or no impact to programs or learning outcomes of participants.
• Participate in the planning of external conferences as well as scheduling and coordination of staff (Partners in Prevention, Skills Ontario).

Quality & Risk Management:

• Develop operations management processes and protocols to manage training/service delivery activities, ensuring compliance with IHSA policies and regulatory/legislative requirements and consistency in information, methodologies and approaches, and collaborating with Regional Managers to determine opportunities for improvements and synergies.
• Identify opportunities for improving quality and services delivered, ensuring alignment with IHSA strategies and priorities, developing and presenting recommendations, and coaching staff to ensure initiatives are incorporated into day-to-day activities.
• Solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions on areas for improvement.
• Evaluate industry/operational information, identifying trends, patterns and potential issues, providing supporting analyses and research, recommending solutions and new approaches, and encouraging executives/managers to embrace new programs /methodologies/ technologies.

Staff/Financial Management:

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Powerline Technician Training and Apprenticeship staff, assigning and directing work, providing advice, resolving issues, ensuring ongoing work quality, monitoring workloads and ensuring staff working in remote locations are supported.
• Manage staff lieu time and vacation accrual and balances.
• Manage staff performance, career development and talent management activities, conducting performance reviews, identifying development needs and ensuring the availability of skill development, coaching and training opportunities.
• Monitor staff work/life balance to promote the mental health and wellbeing of employees.
• Manage staff recruitment activities, determining appropriate numbers and skill mix to meet program/service delivery needs, preparing business cases, conducting interviews and liaising with HR department staff to ensure recruiting, offer and on-boarding processes are completed.
• Identify staff performance issues/areas of concern, developing and recommending improvement plans and/or corrective courses of action.
• May participate in collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration processes, providing first level support, collaborating with HR, Labour Relations and legal representatives as required to investigate and help resolve issues.
• Manage department revenue generation and expenditures, ensuring administrative/financial activities are managed, policies followed, purchase orders are prepared, and expenses are authorized within assigned limits.

Relationship Management:

• Develop collaborative working relationships with senior leaders, peers and employees in other departments/divisions across the IHSA and its partner organizations to identify opportunities to share information, provide advice and collaborate on projects and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with industry associations and colleagues, colleges and academic institutions to remain current on industry best practices, emerging trends and/or shifts in legislative/government requirements and to promote the initiatives of IHSA.
• Represent IHSA at various industry meetings/forums/conferences.

Project Management:

• Lead projects and strategic initiatives, preparing proposals, determining deliverables and milestones, managing teams/resources and timelines to ensure deliverables are achieved.
• Support IHSA strategic goals through project/committee work, participating on and leading initiatives, sharing insights and managing project activities and progress.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of undergraduate degree; preferably in in Business, Education, Occupational Health and Safety or related field required.
• Certified (Red Seal) Powerline Technician and Certified in Utility Work Protection Code required.
• Significant 10+ years progressive operations and management experience required.
• Registered Professional Trainer certification and thorough knowledge of Electrical Utility Safety Rules required.
• Advanced knowledge of the IHSA health and safety industry/network required.
• Depth of expertise of the four safe work methods and safe work procedures within the electrical utility sector preferred.
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) accreditation considered an asset.
• Strong management, interpersonal, problem solving, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals at all levels within and outside the organization.
• 75% minimum interview score required for consideration.

REPLY TO: [e-mail]

JOB CLOSING DATE: July 28, 2025

IHSA is committed to foster a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote fairness, equity, dignity, and respect. We value diversity and show due consideration for each other’s opinions, perspectives and uniqueness that creates an all-inclusive work environment where everyone can contribute to their full potential.

IHSA is committed to providing equal opportunity to qualified individuals wishing to join the Association. IHSA will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the assessment, selection and recruitment process. Applicants requesting accommodation are asked to advise Human Resources of the nature of accommodation that is required.

Thank you for your interest in IHSA. To be considered for this competition, applicants must include a resume clearly identifying how they meet the qualifications as outlined in this position and be forwarded to Human Resources no later than the date on the job closing. Applications should also include a cover letter and reference the posting # TE2025-03. This information will be used as part of the selection process. We appreciate the interest of all applicants, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.