Bridging Today and Tomorrow

The Partnership’s role in collaborative workforce development in Delaware

BY HELANA RODRIGUEZ

“WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.” It’s a phrase you hear everywhere—and for good reason. Employers across Delaware are feeling the pressure as the challenge of finding skilled talent grows and the demand for immediate solutions intensifies. We hear you—businesses need workers now. But what does workforce development really mean?

At its core, workforce development is about more than just training programs or hiring strategies. It’s the most powerful long-term solution to the talent challenges employers face today. It’s not just a buzzword or a box to check; it’s about building a pipeline of talent that addresses today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s demands. It thrives on collaboration—connecting educators, employers, and policymakers to align skills training with real-world opportunities. It’s investing in a system where businesses thrive, workers grow, and communities prosper. While it’s not a quick fix, the results speak for themselves. We, as a business community, need to dig deeper and commit to laying the foundations now for a stronger economy tomorrow.

This vision drives the work of The Partnership, Inc., which unites educators, employers, and policymakers to inspire and deliver lasting solutions. A standout example is this year’s Navigating Delaware Pathways: Workforce Development Summit, a new program under The Partnership that set the stage for collaborative action. With over 300 cross-sector attendees, the summit demonstrated the power of a systems approach to workforce development, aligning schools and employers to prepare students for in-demand careers. Through dynamic sessions and action-oriented discussions, one message resonated: building tomorrow’s workforce requires intentional collaboration today.

The impact didn’t end there. Inspired by the experience, Gooden invited 25 students to tour M. Davis & Sons’ fabrication facility, giving them a firsthand look at career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. For many students, it was a pivotal moment—seeing how classroom learning connects to high-demand jobs. This kind of intentional industry-education partnership is exactly what Delaware needs to build a resilient workforce.

Looking ahead, we’re entering an exciting new chapter. Guided by a threeyear strategic plan, we’re expanding our mission to tackle Delaware’s biggest challenges through a policy and research lens. This shift focuses on long-term workforce development solutions, addressing skills gaps, industry-specific training, and regulatory barriers.

As part of this evolution, The Partnership will now be known as the Delaware State Chamber Foundation. This rebranding represents a bold step forward, reflecting our unwavering commitment of connecting people to solve problems, drive meaningful change, and foster sustainable growth for Delaware. We look forward to bringing all parties to the table to engage and empower Delaware’s employers and employees in shaping a more prosperous future. Together, we’re building a stronger tomorrow.