A First for Delaware

Issue 10.04

February 9, 2024

Join us for Delaware's FIRST workforce development summit!

The Partnership Inc., recently announced its leadership in the rebranded Navigating Delaware Pathways: An Education and Workforce Development Summit. Taking place on April 16 at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus in Dover, this summit, formerly known as the Delaware Pathways Conference, marks a new chapter in ensuring that education seamlessly aligns with the evolving needs of Delaware’s workforce.

The event will also feature the coveted Superstars in Education and Training awards ceremony as a luncheon celebration, honoring exceptional workforce development programs in three categories: High School, Higher Education, and Independent Training and Certificate Programs. Contact Helana Rodriguez for more information.

Read the full announcement >

PUSHING NEW INNOVATIONS

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. Read more >

SKILLS-BASED HIRING

AND EQUITY

By Brad Turner-Little, National

Association of Workforce Boards

In Delaware, 40% of adults 25 and above have a high school diploma or less. How do we create bridges to new opportunity for those in our communities? One emerging approach appears to be skills-based hiring, a recruitment approach that focuses on evaluating candidates based on their skills rather than on their education or past work experience.

Delaware Businesses Honored for

Supporting Military and Veteran Talent

The Joint Military Affairs Committee (JMAC) of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and New Castle County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Delaware Warrior Friendly Business Award, which recognizes businesses’ efforts to support service members, veterans, and their family members through workplace initiatives. Read more >

UNDER 50 EMPLOYEES:

“The Courageous Hearts herd is very honored to accept the Warrior Friendly Business Award. Our work is guided by a team approach and a core belief that everyone has the innate ability to find their own answers. Our duty is to guide service members, much like reins guide a horse, to return with honor.”

Elena Fierro-Wise

Military Coordinator,

Courageous Hearts, LLC

OVER 50 EMPLOYEES:

"I’d like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the military veterans within our organization. ... Your unique skills, resilience, and leadership qualities, honed through military service and experience, contribute greatly to the success of CSC.”

Shana Hilliard

Diversity and Belonging

Program Leader, CSC

Join us on Friday, February 23 at 8:00 am for the annual State of the Guard address. The briefing includes an update on the current missions & operations of the Delaware National Guard, plus a tour of a C-130H3 aircraft.

Deadline to register is February 14 >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Congratulations, again, to Hervé Hoppenot and the team at Incyte for an outstanding job at our 187th Annual Dinner last week! Hervé went into detail about Incyte's mission to Solve On™, and touched on the important pharmaceuticals the company has pioneered, including the new drug Zynyz (generic name retifanlimab-dlwr) that's designed to fight Merkel cell carcinoma and happens to be the first drug named after a state! Read more >

In Case You Missed It