Advocacy & Economic Development
Pushing New Innovations
Delaware Workforce Development Board remains focused on training, attracting, and retaining talent in Delaware CONTRIBUTED BY THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD’S mandate is to ensure the state’s workforce is equipped with the specific skills needed by First State employers. The goals are jobs and successful careers for individuals and addressing the state’s continuing shortage of qualified candidates relative to job openings (the “jobs gap”). That’s a broad mandate but consider a few facets particularly relevant to 2023 and 2024. The jobs gap, as challenging as it is currently, will grow over the coming decade as the state’s businesses continue to expand while, conversely, projected retirements loom. The Board sees the trades as part of the solution because they provide phenomenal careers and attractive benefits in industries projected to have continuing strength in demand, and usually do not require the taking on of educational debt. As such, 54
the Board has focused on possible approaches to expand the number of skilled tradespeople. In recognition of its pursuit of innovative ideas, the Board was awarded a $3 million grant under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grant is focused on delivering nontraditional training methods with employment opportunities in high growth, high demand, and/or emerging industries. This includes programs that address women and other underserved populations, as well as non-traditional workers. In addition to initiatives under the ARPA grant, the Board is working on a pilot project with an existing DuPont Company apprenticeship program in an effort to make changes in how the 144-hour educational component is delivered to students by having the earning and learning together on one site. Board Chair Scott Malfitano points to the success of the pilot Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2024
| DELAWARE BUSINESS
