Building a Workforce for the Future

BY JENNIFER STEELE AND JACQUELINE HAWKES

FOR DECADES, we as a nation have placed great emphasis on the attainment of a college degree and less value on individuals entering the skilled trades, which has created a critical gap in our skilled labor workforce. Trade labor is essential for the development, maintenance, and improvement of infrastructure in our country. Trade labor also provides vital services to our citizens and is crucial to our economic growth.

To yield a thriving economy, a healthy workforce must be balanced between college educated and skilled trade workers. The decline of trade labor in the U.S. has been gradual and, as a result, it has been overlooked for quite some time. Until recently, the majority of young people favored attending college, and many did not even consider entering the trades. Today, however, more and more individuals—both young and old—are aware of the need for a qualified skilled labor workforce and the many benefits that come with choosing an occupation in the trade industry, some of which are listed below.

The pursuit of a career in the skilled trades can be less time consuming than a four-year degree and can result in significantly less debt upon completion.

There is an abundance of skilled trade employment opportunities nationwide, and the shortage of workers has increased job security and driven wages to a level that, at one time, could only be achieved with a college degree.

The recognition of these benefits is causing a shift in thinking, and the genuine merit in technical education is being acknowledged.

The State of Delaware has been focusing on workforce development since 1963 when the Delaware Skills Center was established immediately following President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 Manpower Training and Development Act. The programs at the Delaware Skills Center are designed for adults, young and old, and are specifically intended to serve Delaware residents who are unemployed or underemployed.

Programs are implemented based on data that identifies employment sectors that are experiencing the greatest demand for skilled workers. These high-demand occupations are characterized as showing a substantial growth in job openings while facing a rapidly declining number of applicants.

In addition to delivering vocational skills and valuable work knowledge, the Delaware Skills Center is committed to providing job placement assistance for students which, in turn, contributes to the State’s overall economic health by lowering the dependence on unemployment benefits and by growing the pool of qualified workers. Delaware Skills Center training programs also help in the development of a well-rounded workforce that generates increased state tax revenue.

As the need for skilled workers continues to grow, we must refocus by placing greater value on skilled trade programs nationwide. Awareness and accessibility to training programs for all individuals is fundamental in bridging the gap and beginning to fill the deficiency in trade labor. Successful and personally rewarding careers can be found in the trades, and placing greater emphasis on restoring our trade labor workforce is essential in preparing our country for a bright future.

Jennifer Steele is financial secretary and Jacqueline Hawkes is supervisor of Delaware Skills Center.