Training & Development Specialist

Locations: Columbia, SC | Charlotte, NC | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: HR Director

POSITION OVERVIEW

Hoffman Mechanical Solutions is seeking a Training & Development Specialist to own and coordinate all training and development activity across the organization. The Specialist will be the primary driver of training strategy, technical training, apprenticeship program coordination, onboarding, sales enablement, and administrative learning initiatives across all locations, reporting directly to the HR Director. The Specialist will partner with Operations, Safety, and department leaders to build and run training programs that support growth, retention, and operational performance. Given the broad scope of this role, the Specialist will work closely with the HR Director on training strategy, budget, and compliance in addition to day-to-day execution. This role offers a strong growth path, with the potential to be promoted into a Training & Development Manager position as the function and team expand.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Training Strategy & Program Ownership

• Own the coordination and day-to-day execution of all training initiatives across the organization, serving as the central point of contact for training-related activity.

• In partnership with the HR Director, develop and maintain the organization's overall training strategy and roadmap, translating operational and business priorities into training programs, priorities, and timelines.

• Establish training standards, policies, and quality benchmarks that are applied consistently across all locations.

Apprenticeship & Compliance

• Manage the apprenticeship program end-to-end, including DOL registration, documentation, tracking, and compliance across all locations.

• Serve as the organization's primary point of contact for training-related compliance, including DOL apprenticeship standards and technical certification requirements.

• Maintain accurate training records, certifications, and compliance documentation, and prepare reporting for HR and leadership.

Program Development & Delivery

• Build, deliver, and continuously improve technical, leadership, onboarding, and professional development programs in partnership with subject matter experts.

• Coordinate OEM, safety, technical, sales, and administrative training initiatives, including scheduling, logistics, and follow-through.

• Own and administer the Learning Management System (LMS), including course setup, enrollment tracking, reporting, and troubleshooting.

• Leverage AI tools and learning technologies to improve training delivery, content creation, and employee engagement.

• Identify and coordinate internal subject matter experts (SMEs) to support instructor development and training delivery.

• Support culture-building and continuous improvement initiatives across all locations. Budget, Vendor & Performance Management

• In partnership with the HR Director, develop, forecast, and manage the training budget including cost-benefit and ROI analysis for major programs and vendor engagements.

• Coordinate with and negotiate terms with external vendors, instructors, and OEM partners.

• Track training completion, participation, and effectiveness metrics, and translate results into business-impact reporting — e.g., retention, safety, and productivity trends — for the HR Director.

• Help lay the groundwork for scaling the training function, including identifying where future team support or a Training & Development Manager structure may be needed.

RELATIONSHIP & PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

• Build strong, trusted relationships with field technicians across all locations to understand real-world skill gaps, training needs, and on-the-job challenges.

• Partner closely with hiring managers across locations to align training and onboarding plans with role expectations, ramp-up timelines, and team-specific needs.

• Establish and maintain relationships with outside technical schools, community colleges, and trade programs to support recruiting, apprenticeship placement, and curriculum alignment.

• Serve as a liaison with OEM partners and external training vendors to coordinate certification programs and specialized technical instruction.

• Act as a connector between field teams, hiring managers, and HR to ensure training priorities reflect actual operational and staffing needs.

• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Specialist on campus events, career fairs, and technical school engagements to strengthen the talent pipeline and support recruiting efforts.

• Provide the HR Director with regular updates on training priorities, workforce readiness, and skill development needs, including input for leadership and operations discussions as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Organizational Development, Education, HR, Engineering, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience within HVAC, mechanical services, construction, manufacturing, or related trades preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in training delivery, workforce development, or apprenticeship program coordination.

• Experience with apprenticeship programs, DOL standards, and technical certification processes strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, and technical training delivery.

• Experience using LMS platforms, reporting/analytics tools, and AI-enabled learning technologies.

• Basic budget management and vendor negotiation experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders (technicians, hiring managers) and external partners (technical schools, OEMs, vendors).

• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to independently manage multiple training initiatives and priorities without close oversight.

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.

• Ability to travel periodically between locations as needed.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As the owner of training and development, this role will directly shape workforce readiness, apprenticeship success, employee retention, and operational performance across Hoffman Mechanical Solutions. By building strong relationships with technicians, hiring managers, and outside technical schools, the Training & Development Specialist will strengthen the talent pipeline and lay the foundation of the company's training function, with a clear path to grow into a Training & Development Manager role as the organization and program scale.