Unlocking Talent

Issue 12.22

June 12, 2026

THIS WEEK IN DOVER

With just seven legislative days remaining, debate is intensifying around several major bills. The Delaware State Chamber continues to oppose SB 272, which would mandate Project Labor Agreements on certain school construction projects, while also raising concerns about HB 417's industry-specific tax relief for restaurants. At the same time, we support efforts to address Delaware's housing shortage through SB 23 and applaud the advancement of HCR 144. Read more >

HCR 144, which was released from the House Administration Committee this week, would direct state and local officials to develop a framework for identifying underutilized public properties and evaluating potential future uses, including affordable housing and child care. We applaud Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown's leadership on this effort to explore how public buildings can better serve Delaware communities.

UNLOCKING TALENT

HOW WORKFORCE PELL IS RESHAPING

DELAWARE'S TALENT PIPELINE

Across Delaware and the nation, employers continue to face a persistent challenge in finding skilled talent in a rapidly evolving economy. At the same time, many individuals are seeking pathways to good-paying careers but cannot commit to traditional two- or four-year degree programs. Workforce Pell Grants represent a significant opportunity to close that gap. Read more >

SOLVING TODAY'S WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

Higher education remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility in our country. But the question is no longer whether it matters — it does. The question is whether it is designed for a labor market that is harder to enter and changing in real time.

At its best, higher education builds knowledge, critical thinking, and opportunity. But for too many students, the connection between education and employment is still unclear, too slow, or too disconnected from real-world demand. At a time when the first rung of the career ladder is becoming less accessible, this gap has real consequences. Read more >

FAST FACT: Nearly half of recent college graduates are underemployed and are working in roles that do not match their level of skill.

APPRENTICESHIPS THAT POWER PRODUCTION

Fostering career pathways that connect learning with meaningful work is central to how we support our people and our communities. At AstraZeneca’s Newark site, where we produce, formulate, and package 26 different medicines for global distribution, apprenticeships help us meet patient needs while addressing these market realities. By developing skills that matter on the floor today, our apprentices are opening doors to long-term careers. Read more >

BUILD TALENT & STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY

At The WRK Group, our mission is rooted in creating pathways of opportunity for the communities we serve in Wilmington. Through our integrated approach focused on high-quality housing, education, workforce development, and community health, we are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our programs and our people. One of the most impactful ways we’ve been able to do that is through the University of Delaware’s Lerner Co-op Program. Read more >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum product prices have jumped in response to conflict in the Middle East. Businesses and residential customers are all paying more, yet no one is picketing outside gas stations or airports. Why? Because they understand there is a significant difference between “price makers” and “price takers.”

Intuitively, the public understands that their local filling station has little control over the price it can charge to fill up a car or truck. Your local gas station is a price taker. It has no say over the price of a barrel of oil, the cost of refining petroleum products, the expense of transporting fuel to the station, the highway tax charged per gallon, or countless other factors. Read more >

ADVERTISE WITH THE STATE CHAMBER

Promote your events, news & initiatives to Delaware's business community through us! Learn more >

In Case You Missed It