Lead in Solutions by Leading in Talent

Issue 7.24

June 11, 2021

This Week in Dover

This week, the General Assembly continued its work before it ends in eight legislative days. Of note, the HB150, the bill to legalize recreational marijuana, was moved to next week to be voted on in the House. SB2, a bill to create a community solar program, passed the Senate. Read more >

"When you lead the world in talent, you lead the world in solutions. With a highly skilled workforce, there's nothing business cannot achieve nothing we as a nation cannot do." - Suzanne Clark, CEO & President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. CHAMBER LAUNCHES INITIATIVE

HELPING YOUR COMPANY AND OUR COUNTRY

SOLVE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

America is facing a double-dose of workforce challenges: There are too many people without jobs. And there are too many jobs without people to fill them.

The result: Too many businesses that can’t grow, compete, and thrive. And too many workers who can't realize their American dreams.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation last week launched America Works, a new nationwide initiative mobilizing industry and government to swiftly address America’s deepening worker shortage crisis. Learn more >

THE AMERICA WORKS REPORT

KEY FINDINGS

8.1 MILLION

vacant job openings in the United States—a record high—in March 2021, the latest month for which data is available. That’s up more than 600,000 from February.

90%+

More than 90 percent of industry association economists say employers in their sectors are struggling to find qualified

workers for open jobs.

VIEW FULL REPORT

Getting Talent Back to Work

View report >

Download toolkit >

BUILDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS

People with criminal records—especially the formerly incarcerated—face enormous barriers to employment. Talented and eager to work, this untapped pool of workers can bring great value to employers and communities when given the opportunity to thrive and succeed in the workplace. But too often, they are denied the opportunity they need to put their skills to work due to deeply rooted biases and harmful misperceptions.

SHRM and the SHRM Foundation unveiled the Getting Talent Back to Work initiative, which offers resources to working professionals and employers on second-chance hiring. Learn more >

81%

of business leaders and 85% of HR professionals believe workers with

criminal records perform their jobs

about the same or better than

workers without criminal records.

73%

of business leaders and 75% of

HR professionals said workers with criminal records were just as or

more dependable than workers

without criminal records.

56%

Over half of business leaders said

they would be willing to work with individuals with criminal records; 57% of individual contributors agreed.

1/3

of working-age U.S. adults have a

criminal record, and many people with criminal records are underemployed

or in insecure jobs.

VIEW FULL REPORT

SAVE THE DATE

OCTOBER 14, 2021

Our annual Developing Delaware conference will focus on workforce development and private sector-led innovations to better invest in people and discover talent from untapped pools.

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE

PLACING A GREATER EMPHASIS ON SKILLS IN HIRING & ADVANCEMENT, IMPROVING EQUITY & DIVERSITY IN EMPLOYMENT

Over 80 Business Roundtable member companies – and counting – are participating in a multi-year targeted effort to reform companies’ hiring and talent management practices to emphasize the value of skills, rather than just degrees, and to improve equity, diversity and workplace culture. The initiative will support efforts to address inequity in employment practices, including how people are hired and how they advance; and it will work toward eliminating unintentional bias that may prove to be a barrier to hiring and advancement. Learn more >

President's Message

We are entering the last couple of weeks of Session in the General Assembly and the time when important policy decisions will be made. Now is the time to express your point of view on key issues like the minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, site readiness funds, Elevate Delaware, recreational marijuana, and more. Read more >

DOES YOUR BUSINESS PRIORITIZE HIRING VETERANS?

We are looking to curate a list of State Chamber members who hire veterans. To add your business to this list, please email Tyler Micik.