Governor Carney Creates Workforce Development Program for Unemployed and Underemployed Delawareans

Rapid training program initially funded with $10 million in CARES Act Funding

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed Executive Order #43, creating the Rapid Workforce Training and Redeployment Training Initiative to assist Delaware workers and their families who have lost jobs and income due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The workforce development program will initially be funded with $10 million of federal CARES Act funding. Investments in workforce development were a recommendation of the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee – chaired by Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. The committee released its interim report on Friday.

Click here to read Governor Carney’s Executive Order #43.

“All Delawareans have made sacrifices during this COVID-19 crisis. Some have made more than others,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware workers and their families across our state have lost jobs and income, but still have to pay their bills. We have a responsibility to support our neighbors who have been affected by this crisis. This new workforce development program will help provide workers with the skills they need to get back in the workforce quickly, earn a living, and support their families.”

Under Governor Carney’s order, the Delaware Department of Labor will work with the Delaware Workforce Development Board to establish approved training and certification programs for unemployed and underemployed Delawareans. Training programs included in the rapid workforce development initiative will focus on in-demand occupations and skills currently demanded in Delaware workplaces.

“The business community across Delaware has been engaged and supportive of this important workforce development program. At the Delaware Workforce Investment Board, we are ready to support its implementation and are ready to connect businesses in immediate need of skilled workers with individuals going through the training programs to ensure we get Delawareans back to work with good paying jobs as quickly as possible,” said Gary Stockbridge, chairman of the Delaware Workforce Development Board.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Report violations of COVID-19 restrictions by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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Meet the Reps: Global Delaware expands export program, adds new countries and trade reps

Wilmington, DE – Global Delaware is expanding its Strategic Export Program to Colombia, Ireland, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, and has hired new international trade representatives in each country to help support export efforts by Delaware companies.

The new reps will be on hand to present an overview of export opportunities in their respective countries and be available for one-on-one meetings on Thursday, September 14 at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce at Global Delaware’s 3rd annual Meet the Reps event.

Delaware’s trade reps work in-country to perform market research and analysis, develop product strategies for market entry, identify distributors and potential customers, and provide in-country logistical, translational and related support services on behalf of Delaware companies.

“This event has become a must-attend for the state’s local business community,” said Beth Pomper, Global Delaware’s export advisor. “Attendees love to hear about opportunities abroad, and value the insights our reps provide. We are especially excited about this year’s event because we have new reps coming to talk about the target countries that we have added to our program.”

Pomper, who plans the state’s strategic export program, extensively researched the world’s markets to find the best prospects for the products and services Delaware companies provide. She selected the five new countries based on these factors and other global trends. For example, while Ireland’s bioscience, pharmaceuticals, financial technology and food processing sectors have matured, there is a new wave of activity there as a result of Brexit. Industries are growing once again, and Delaware companies have the chance to take part.

Each country offers unique opportunities, Pomper said.

“Singapore is a gateway to Southeast Asia, offering a launch pad for Delaware manufacturers to find distributors selling to other countries in Southeast Asia. It has the most efficient healthcare system on earth, and many Delaware companies make products that service this industry. It is relatively easy to export to Singapore as well, as the majority of goods enter duty free. Malaysia is a hub for manufacturing, and it’s very close to Singapore (a 50-minute flight or four-hour drive), so it’s ideal to go to both nations in one trip.

“Colombia is an emerging market. There is demand for security products, and manufacturing is a big industry. There is a lot of growth potential right now. Finally, to succeed in Australia, companies have to be innovative and unique. Many Delaware SMEs fit this bill and will find great partners there.”

The reps in these countries know the certification processes, regulations, and business laws in their home countries, Pomper notes, and can provide Delaware companies with the tools and resources to successfully sell their goods and services in the global marketplace. Plus, they have key connections Delaware businesses need to get appointments with people who are in a position to purchase their products and services.

“Our reps have been critical to the success of the State’s numerous business trips over the past year, arranging strategic one-on-one in-country meetings and assisting with logistics,” Pomper said. “We are confident our new reps will be able to provide the same high-quality services in Colombia, Ireland, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.”

Support at home and abroad

Global Delaware’s strategic export initiative focuses on expanding the state’s export program, offering tactical and practical services to increase exports and ultimately create jobs. Over the past year, Global Delaware has led business trips to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada and South Korea, generating over $16 million in projected sales. New missions to Canada and Ireland are planned for the coming months.

In addition, Delaware businesses benefited from $275,000 in financial assistance in the form of STEP grants to expand exports this year.

The STEP grant is a resource for the state’s export efforts and companies looking to launch or grow their export strategy. There are many international business expenses that companies can use the grants for, such as expenses related to trade shows, client visits, travel, translations and market research.

“Our mission is to help Delaware companies find opportunities around the world,” explains Global Delaware Director Andrea Tinianow. “We have the expertise, the resources, and a growing number of success stories. We want to see more companies join that list!”

The following reps will be available to talk about overseas opportunities:

Miguel de Regil, Colombia
Miguel is a friendly face with a new assignment. Delaware’s trade rep for Mexico for the past 2 years, Miguel will now serve local companies exploring Colombia as well. With more than four decades of international trade experience, Miguel brings extensive knowledge of consumer and industrial markets throughout Latin America.

Declan Barry, Ireland
Declan worked in international business development across Europe for over a decade. He helps pharmaceutical, medtech, fintech and cyber security businesses expand to Ireland.

Sarath Menon, Singapore and Malaysia
Over the last 15 years, Sarath has supported thousands of companies in the industrial, commercial and service industries. He can also assist companies interested in exploring opportunities in Vietnam.

Angela Foley, Australia
Angela has supported international trade efforts of businesses in Australia for over 15 years.
(Angela will not attend the Meet the Reps event, but is available for consultation for local companies interested in Australia.)

Registration for the event opens at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 14 at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, 1201 North Orange Street, #200, Wilmington, DE. Delaware trade reps will provide brief country overviews starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by one-on-one meetings throughout the morning.

Businesses unable to make this event are encouraged to contact Emma Pautler at global@delaware.gov to arrange an alternative meeting time.

To register for this event and sign up for one-on-one meetings, go to: de.gov/reps and fill out the short form. Global Delaware and The Delaware Department of State would like to thank Fulton Bank for sponsoring this event, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce for hosting.

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Attorney General and Community Leaders Call on Legislators to Release Funds to Combat Surging Gun Violence

Attorney General Matthew Denn, joined by leaders of Delaware’s business and community reinvestment communities, called on the General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee to hold a special meeting this month to allocate $2 million in escrowed funds to help the cities of Wilmington and Dover pay for law enforcement resources to address a surge in gun violence.

Attorney General Denn, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce President Richard Heffron, and Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council Executive Director Rashmi Rangan noted, in making their request, that violent gun crime in Wilmington and Dover is “killing and wounding residents (including in some cases children), creating chaotic living situations for those trapped in violent neighborhoods, and threatening the economic vitality of both the state’s capital and its largest city.”

The escrowed funds are part of $36 million in settlements negotiated by the Delaware Department of Justice with Bank of America and Citigroup for misconduct committed in the national financial markets by those banks.   Funds from a similar settlement with JP Morgan Chase were used from March 8th through July 17th of this year to pay overtime salaries to Wilmington Police Department officers to conduct foot patrols in high-crime areas of the city from 6 pm to 1 am, seven nights a week.  In tandem with expanded patrol efforts made by the Wilmington Police Department, these efforts had a demonstrable positive impact on public safety: the rate of homicides in the City of Wilmington dropped by two thirds during the time period that these expanded patrols were occurring.

The letter emphasized to JFC members the importance of holding a meeting now, rather than waiting for the legislature to return in January.  “[T]he residents of parts of Dover and Wilmington are living under siege, and we do not have the luxury of waiting for weeks or months to put the law enforcement presence on the street necessary to secure their safety.”

In making their request for prompt approval of the $2 million, the authors of the letter reiterated their previously-stated position that all of the $30 million in settlement funds should be used to support economically-impacted communities, rather than to temporarily plug holes in the general fund budget.  “We have strong opinions about the importance of the General Assembly spending all of the remaining $30 million in settlement funds on specified projects for low-income communities rather than simply folding them into the general fund,” the letter states, “and we will reiterate those opinions at the appropriate time.  For now, though, our request is that the Joint Finance Committee agree to the use of a small fraction of those funds to allow us to secure the streets of Dover and Wilmington.”


Governor Markell Proposes New Program to Boost Manufacturing Workforce

Initiative would give high school students opportunity to earn professional certificates before graduation

Wilmington, DE – Proposing an opportunity to grow a vital part of our economy while giving more young people the best chance to reach their potential, Governor Markell today outlined an Accelerated fIMG_2724Career Paths program that would allow high school juniors and seniors to obtain professional manufacturing certificates when they graduate. The Governor previewed the initiative in his State of the State address as part of his plans to give students a roadmap from the classroom to employment.

In highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector, the Governor noted that manufacturing is responsible for about 40 percent of total U.S. output and employment, and for two-thirds of our private-sector research and development. In addition, the average wages in manufacturing are more than 16% higher than the average wages in the economy.

“To keep our economy growing, we must meet the needs of our manufacturing employers,” said Markell during an address at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Legislative Brunch and Manufacturing Conference. “We often talk about our global competition for talent as though it’s mainly a competition for individuals who have pursued a college education. We assume “good jobs” require a traditional degree, but nothing could be further from the truth. Just as we provide specialized coursework for students transitioning to college, this program provides similar opportunities for those choosing an accelerated career path.”

Delaware’s Accelerated Career Paths program ensures high school graduates are ready to start a career on day one.

Delaware’s manufacturers embraced the idea of working with the State, Del Tech, and school districts on developing this innovative approach to career readiness for the youngest members of our workforce – thereby ensuring a pipeline of talent for their long-term workforce needs.

With partnership from Del Tech and the Delaware Manufacturing Association, the initiative will involve developing a two-year, comprehensive program in manufacturing technologies for Delaware high school juniors and seniors.  The program – which results in nationally recognized advanced manufacturing certificates, in addition to a high school diploma and even some college credits – allows students to attend classes at their home school part of the week, while spending the remainder at the community college getting hands-on training.

Students will attend classes in their homes schools and receive training on manufacturing equipment at Del Tech so they can get the hands-on training necessary to land that first job.

“So many of the best jobs available now are in technical fields requiring electrical, mechanical, and maintenance skills,” said Mitch Magee, chair of the Delaware Manufacturing Association. “These are jobs that pay very well, often better than entry-level jobs attainable with a college degree, and we must offer the opportunities to become certified for these positions.”

The Delaware Manufacturing Association and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are working to help identify members willing to offer real world opportunities during the summer between junior and senior year. This effort recognizes that, whether it takes the form of hands-on work or job shadowing, direct exposure to the workplace is crucial. Students will spend about 200 hours over the summer practicing their skills in the workplace.fIMG_2716

The manufacturing association has agreed to assist on three other fronts:

  • Vetting the curriculum, both up front, and on an annual basis to ensure it keeps pace with the industry’s evolving needs in light of changing technologies and improved methodologies.
  • Improving the image of manufacturing with the students, parents and educators through a variety of in-school activities and on-site events at the manufacturers’ facilities.
  • Ensuring students who commit to this path will be rewarded for doing so by developing ways to better predict their hiring needs 2-3 years down the road, so that the current pipeline matches the future demand for skilled employees.

The effort is modeled after a partnership between Delaware Technical Community College and Red Clay Consolidated School District. That program brought in high school juniors in the fall of 2012 for more than 300 hours of training in carpentry, plumbing, electricity, and OSHA Construction Safety.

Enthusiasm around the manufacturing partnership idea resulted in two schools – William Penn and Del Castle – piloting a shorter version of the initiative this semester at Del Tech, where 16 seniors are taking an intensive course covering math, blueprint reading, electrical and mechanical fabrication, and other key skill areas.

“Accelerated career pathways allow high school graduates to start a career on day one, without the time and financial investment required to pursue higher education,” said Markell. “They are the right choice for many of our students, including some of our best and brightest, and we need to make sure that we provide the training and workplace opportunities these young people need to excel.”

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