Kathryn Castelloes

Talented Program Director skilled in handling administrative, operational and outreach program functions. Wears many hats to accomplish dynamic objectives. Ready to apply 29 years of experience to new professional challenges with growth-oriented organization. Accomplished Program Director highly effective at overseeing statewide initiatives for employment and training, including the supervision of staff and team leaders. Offering 17 years of experience managing and improving employment and training projects, such as work-based learning and apprenticeships. Knowledgeable Program Director well-versed in providing strategic direction and ongoing leadership to planning, directing and the implementation of employment and training projects. Veteran of management in apprenticeships with 17-year demonstrated track record of success. Dedicated Program Director is adept at managing programs and bringing deep understanding of what it takes to run high-quality program and achieve desired results.

• Achieved 80% increase in apprenticeship registrations in 2019-2020 fiscal year through effectively implementing a strategic plan that involved adding to the infrastructure through federal grants and training staff to work regionally and with employment partners, including 58 local community colleges. This was pre pandemic, however, registrations are on the rise with 76% of that number already met within the first quarter.
• Collaborated with team of seven in the development a customized internal database, developed with my oversight and direction that involved apprenticeship staff and the System Office's internal Information Technology staff.
• Supervised team of 22 staff members. Increased staff by 65% to build infrastructure and increase project objectives with outreach and development of apprenticeship training programs.
• Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets. Providing oversight and direction to implement tracking through an internal customer relationship management system (CRM), for efficiently and accuracy. Efficiency was increased with the implementation of an electronic data base that was user friendly for stakeholders and staff and included electronic signatures. This solved the issue of time wasted in using paper and eliminated the need for hard copies and processing time. Provided oversight and training to staff and stakeholders, including employers to utilize system and reduced time in the registration process by 45%.
• Achieved successful application and implementing of six U.S. DOL, Employment and Training grants by assisting in the application process, planning, direction, implementation and the completion of the goals set in the grants.
• Collaborated in the development of a Youth Team. This team was funded by our successful application process for grants through New America and the University of NC System (UNC). We were one in nine of the original applicants nationwide to receive funding from New America and the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) grant. We also received funding from GearUP through the UNC system . These funds were part of my oversight and tracking of goals that resulted in the increase of the number of youth apprentices by 38%. This project is also part of my oversight and collaboration in working in with the Governor's office, to assist state in reaching the goal of 2 million credentials achieved for NC citizens by 2030.
• Achieved the implementation of electronic signatures by introducing Formstack and Salesforce software for staff and stakeholders to have an electronic system that was quick, efficient and timely in the process of apprenticeship registrations.
• Resolved issue the distribution of over $16 million in funds, with added an electronic process that would automatically determine eligibility and calculate potential funding directly to local employers for apprenticeship registrations.
• Collaborated with team of eight members, comprised of employers and local community colleges in the development of the NC Expansion Funds. The NC Expansion Funds were a result of the NC General Assembly providing $12 million to my department in the expansion of employment and training through apprenticeships. The implementation of this project took place in the course of six months and included my oversight and direction with team and IT staff to make the project successful. As a result, on September 30, 2022, over $ 3 million has been obligated with a goal of all $12 million obligated by December 2024. I am responsible for the planning, oversight, training, tracking the progress and evaluating the success of this project.

North Carolina Employment and Training Association - Board member

National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors - Board member and Treasurer