Learning and Development Specialist Intern
Learning and Development Specialist Intern
Location: 2501 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac, MI, 48341
Who We Are:
Challenge’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Learning & Development Intern to support our internships, apprenticeships, grant funding management, and skilled trades training and development programs. This role is ideal for someone interested in workforce development, education, and administrative operations. The intern will assist with administrative tasks while gaining hands-on experience to prepare for potential succession into a full-time role at our Pontiac, MI location reporting to Corporate L&D!
What You’ll Do:
This internship will be project based. Below is a real project example of what you would be working on.
Project Assignments:
- Administrative Support:
- Organize and maintain training and apprenticeship records.
- Assist with grant documentation and compliance tracking.
- Schedule meetings, training sessions, and stakeholder engagements.
- Internship & Apprenticeship Coordination:
- Help with recruitment, onboarding, and tracking of interns and apprentices.
- Support outreach efforts to educational institutions and industry partners.
- Assist in creating reports on internship/apprenticeship success metrics.
- Grant Funding & Compliance Management:
- Support in managing grant applications and reporting requirements.
- Assist in tracking budget allocations and financial reporting.
- Research new grant opportunities and funding sources.
- Training & Workforce Development Support:
- Coordinate logistics for workforce training programs.
- Assist in developing training materials and presentations.
- Monitor compliance with skilled trades training requirements.
- Process Improvement & Documentation:
- Document and streamline administrative processes for efficiency.
- Support the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Identify opportunities for digitalization and automation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) (Preferred but can be trained):
Knowledge:
- Understanding of workforce development, training, and apprenticeship programs.
- Basic knowledge of grant management and compliance requirements.
- Familiarity with administrative processes in a corporate or educational setting.
Skills:
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.
- Ability to analyze data and generate reports.
- Research skills to identify grant opportunities and funding sources.
Abilities:
- Adaptability and willingness to learn new systems and processes.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask effectively.
- Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach.
- Ability to collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Interest in career growth within learning & development and workforce training.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in senior or master’s program or recently completed a degree in Human Resource Development, Organizational Development, Education, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experience with grant writing, program coordination, or administrative support is a plus.
- Passion for workforce development and training programs.
When and Where:
This will be a 1st Shift M-F position located at our location in Pontiac, MI.
What You Need to Have:
- Currently enrolled in senior or master’s program or recently completed a degree in Human Resource Development, Organizational Development, Education, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with employees at all levels.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with safety management software is a plus.
- Has high standards of performance for self. Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes. Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.
- Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress. Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.
- Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships.
- Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow. Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers.
- Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities. Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.
- Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.
- Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.
- Updates and relays pertinent information to oncoming shift
- Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely.
- Must be able to understand and follow written and verbal workplace instructions
- Strong communication skills
- Strong time management skills
- Able to prioritize tasks
Challenge Manufacturing is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any part of the recruitment process, please contact the respective Talent Acquisition Partner.
Challenge Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. This company will provide equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Information collected regarding categories as provided by law will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.
Challenge Manufacturing will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Challenge Manufacturing's legal duty to furnish information.
Due to customer requirements, it is prohibited by federal export control laws from transferring controlled information and technology to “Foreign Persons” except as specifically authorized by the U.S. government. In the absence of such authorization, access to controlled information or technology must be limited to “U.S. Persons.” Accordingly, in order to comply with export control laws, the customer is required to verify a contractor’s status as being either a “U.S. Person” or a “Foreign Person.”