Vocational Training Manager

Role Overview

The Vocational Training Lead will spearhead the design, development, and delivery of a craft-based therapeutic and vocational program at India Autism Center. This leadership role is integral to creating a holistic learning ecosystem that empowers individuals on the autism spectrum by integrating hands-on craft practices with therapeutic, developmental, and vocational pathways. You will lead the creation of a unique curriculum that merges sensory engagement, skill-building, and self-expression, alongside sustainable vocational opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design & Leadership

• Lead the design and development of a craft-based vocational curriculum that integrates therapeutic principles with skill-building activities (e.g., working with clay, textiles, wood).
• Develop structured, progressive learning pathways that progress from sensory engagement to skill-building and culminate in vocational outputs.
• Establish core philosophies, standards, and processes for the program, focusing on both therapeutic and practical skill development.
• Innovate and refine vocational pathways that integrate real-world value, helping participants develop skills that foster independence.

Craft-Based Facilitation & Therapeutic Integration

• Lead hands-on craft sessions, using materials to promote sensory regulation, motor development, focus, and engagement for individuals with autism.
• Break down complex processes into clear, repeatable steps to ensure predictability and safety in the learning environment.
• Collaborate with therapy teams to ensure craft work aligns with developmental goals, including sensory integration, motor skills, and cognitive development.

Vocational Pathways & Outcomes

• Assess the strengths and interests of participants to create customized vocational pathways that lead to greater independence and contribute to vocational outputs.
• Develop and prototype product-based opportunities that align with therapeutic goals, ensuring that products reflect both skill-building and personal empowerment.
• Work towards creating real-world vocational outputs, ensuring participants achieve tangible outcomes that foster a sense of achievement and independence.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of craft facilitators and assistants, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
• Collaborate with therapists, artisans, and external partners to integrate cross-disciplinary insights into program design.
• Cultivate a shared language between therapy, craft, and education teams, ensuring holistic support for participants.

Systems Setup

• Design and manage safe, functional, and sensory-aware craft studios that cater to the needs of participants.
• Set up and maintain systems for tool/material management, workflow, safety protocols, and other operational requirements.
• Ensure the studio environment remains inclusive, calm, and creative, optimizing it for hands-on learning and therapeutic engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Develop and implement a comprehensive craft curriculum that integrates therapeutic and vocational elements, ensuring structured skill development.
• Establish a functional studio environment with efficient systems for material management, workflow, and safety protocols.
• Achieve measurable growth in participants’ skills, leading to increased independence in craft-related tasks and tangible vocational outputs.
• Produce marketable products and other vocational outputs that reflect both therapeutic goals and real-world applications.

Must-Have Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Special Education, Occupational Therapy, or a related field with a focus on developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorder, or Master’s in Fine Arts or Vocational Education, with expertise in at least one craft discipline (e.g., ceramics, textiles, carpentry, or natural materials).
• At least 13+ years of experience, including 5+ years in leading or managing vocational training programs for individuals with autism or developmental disabilities.
• Strong communication skills, including non-verbal communication, to engage with diverse participants and communicate progress.
• Strong understanding of therapeutic approaches related to sensory regulation, motor development, and cognitive growth.
• Proven ability to develop and manage vocational training programs that integrate therapeutic goals with real-world skills development.

Preferred Skills

• Exposure to craft-based learning approaches, such as those developed by Ruskin Mill Trust or similar models.
• Experience with sustainable practices, particularly in the use of natural or recycled materials.
• Knowledge of alternative education models that integrate both vocational training and therapeutic modalities.

Compensation & Growth Opportunity

Compensation

₹20–25 LPA

Why This Role Matters

This role is a unique opportunity to impact the lives of individuals with autism by shaping a learning environment that emphasizes the value of craft as both a therapeutic and vocational tool. You will not only facilitate sessions but will build a creative space where making leads to meaning—empowering participants to grow, express, and discover purpose through their craft.

Growth Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to shape a pioneering therapeutic program with potential for scaling and adaptation across other centers. You will be in a leadership position to design and lead a craft-based vocational program that aligns with therapeutic needs, opening avenues for future research and program expansion. As the program evolves, there is significant potential for personal and professional growth within IAC.

About India Autism Center

India Autism Center (IAC) is a not-for-profit organization aiming to build a comprehensive ecosystem of support, training, research, and lifelong residential living solutions for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Through our residential facility, professional training initiatives, community engagement efforts, and knowledge development work, we aspire to enable greater independence, dignity, and quality of life for individuals with autism across India.