Skills matter more than degrees

Issue 6.07

February 14, 2020

Message from the President

Like most industries, the news industry has gone through substantial change over the past couple of decades. With the explosion of the internet and the creation of many new channels for news and information, businesses and consumers have an abundance of choices. Here at the State Chamber, we created DSCC Daily to curate the stories, events, policies and information we believe should be of the greatest interest to our members. DSCC Daily serves as an aggregate page so you don't have to go looking for information. Read more

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POLICY SPOTLIGHT:

SB105, Minimum Wage

You've heard the talk. So what is the answer? The State Chamber believes that we need to let the market determine appropriate wages. We have record low unemployment – that alone makes employers pay more to keep the workforce they already have in place.

Our concern is the effect this has on small businesses, the back bone of our economy. When the market begins to inevitably tighten, the unintended effect is many of these same workers will then be out of a job. When you reset the floor with a higher minimum wage, jobs are eliminated because it is simply not sustainable for many businesses. The unintended effect is people will lose their jobs.

The State Chamber believes conversation should be focused on workforce development . Delaware's businesses are seeing a lack of the right talent to fill open positions. Training the pipeline for jobs in the future as well as retraining Delaware’s large underemployed workforce is needed now. By providing stipends to allow the underemployed to participate in short-term training programs, people will have the opportunity to be hired into a job with a meaningful wage. This in turn creates a positive effect across the board as these workers spend money in their communities and contribute more to our state's economy.

FURTHER READING:

Follow SB 105 here

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

SUN Behavioral Delaware

Solving Unmet Needs. This is more than what SUN stands for. This embodies the company’s mission. SUN Behavioral is a 90-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital that specializes in crisis stabilization for mental health and substance use disorders for individuals ages 12 and older. Read more

U.S. CHAMBER

Report: Hiring managers report skills matter more than degrees in new study

As the U.S. labor market becomes one of the most competitive talent markets in recent history, hiring managers are faced with a greater number of challenges, and as workers become more confident in seeking better employment opportunities, employers of all sizes across multiple industries are struggling to hire qualified candidates.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Worker Availability Ratio found that there are currently 0.88 U.S. workers available for each job opening, and more than half of U.S. states (28) have more open jobs than available workers to fill them. Hypothetically, this means that even if every single individual in that state who wants a job – and is available to work – could find a job, there would still be positions left unfilled. New data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation expands on this dilemma . Read more

Read the full report

2020 Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards recognize youth volunteers for their significant volunteer contributions to the state, its citizens and their work to change Delaware for the better. Please consider nominating a youth or a youth group of volunteers who have demonstrated commitment and dedication to Delaware through significant and direct volunteer service in 2019.

Deadline for nominations is

Sunday, March 1, 2020, 11:59 pm

Learn more