More than a dozen state and non-profit service providers collaborate at ‘One-Stop’ employment assistance meeting

DOVER – More than 200 representatives from state and community agencies focused on assisting Delawareans navigate the challenging and sometimes harrowing experience of becoming gainfully employed will come together this week to further strategize on enhancing their collaborative efforts to serve their customers.

The One-Stop Partner Convening provides an opportunity for front-line staff to continue to learn about the resources currently available to job seekers and employers. This One-Stop Partner system brings together workforce development, education and other human resource services in order to improve long-term employment outcomes for Delaware citizens and ensures employers have a skilled workforce.

“This one-stop system has gone a long way toward helping the Delaware Department of Labor provide our residents with the kind of support that goes beyond just landing a job,” said Secretary Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson. “Often times people looking for work are faced with other challenges that presents the need for access to other services such as finance management, temporary public assistance, adult education and the like.”

“It is important we ensure this cross collaboration remains strong,” she added, “which is why the annual convening is critical.”

The One-Stop Partner Convening is in its second year is and part of a larger effort by the Delaware Workforce Development Board to realign services with the changing workforce requirements.

“This event is another example of how Delaware agencies are working together to make a difference in the lives of Delawareans across our state. We are all committed to helping all Delawareans build the skills necessary to compete and succeed in today’s economy,” said Governor John Carney. “This one-stop concept helps take our delivery of these services to the next level.”

Most of the participants at the May 17^th event will be state employees from a variety of agencies that provide career or supportive services to Delawareans to assist them to reach their career goals, said Bill Potter, Executive Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board.

“The one-stop system brings together workforce development, educational, and other human resource services in a seamless customer-focused service delivery network that enhances access to the programs’ services and improves long-term employment outcomes for individuals receiving assistance,” he said. “One-stop partners administer separately funded programs as a set of integrated streamlined services to customers.”

Employment and financial empowerment are closely linked said Mary Dupont, Director of Financial Empowerment at $tand By Me.

“$tand By Me is pleased to be a One Stop partner because our goal is to ensure that everyone in Delaware has access to personal financial coaching, especially when they are going through life transitions,” said Dupont. “Having someone in your corner who you can trust and who will support you as you wrestle with financial changes can reduce stress and help people dealing with job changes to feel more in control of their finances.”

Since lifelong learning is a 21^st century requirement for all those in the workplace, Adult Education, as part of this One Stop System, will teach the information and skills necessary to get and keep good paying jobs that support Delaware’s economy.

“Simultaneously, Adult Ed will help parents to support their children’s success in school because we live for the moment but must also grow the future,” said Maureen Whelan, Director of the Delaware Department of Education’s division of Adult and Prison Education Resources. “This convening brings front line staff from all of the partners together to learn, to discuss, to make the system better because it is a meeting of the minds, the spirits and the energies of many focused on the common goal of meeting Delaware’s employment needs.”

Included in the one-stop system is the DOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which also works to support people with disabilities who experience barriers to employment. Individualized plans for employment are crafted between counselors and customers using services such as:

Assessment
Post-secondary training
Pre-employment career counseling services for students and sheltered workshop employees
Assistive technology
Counseling, coaching and guidance support
Placement, resume writing and interviewing care
Benefits counseling
Pardon and expungement provisions
Transportation support

For a list of One-Stop Partners visit https://det.delawareworks.com/one-stop-system/System%20Partners.php

What: Delaware Workforce Development Board One-Stop Convening

When: Wednesday, May 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m

Where: Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901

ABOUT THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

The Delaware Workforce Development Board is the Governor’s appointed board established by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The majority of its members represent local employers. They are responsible for many tasks but overall provide guidance and accountability for the state’s workforce system.

ABOUT THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

The Delaware Department of Labor connects people to jobs, resources, monetary benefits, workplace protections and labor market information to promote financial independence, workplace justice and a strong economy.

Leon Tucker, Director of Communications

Delaware Department of Labor

302.761.8002 office

302.530.5770 Cell

Leon.Tucker@delaware.gov

http://dol.delaware.gov/

U.S. Labor Secretary, Sen. Coons Join Secretary Gilliam-Johnson to Tour Wilmington Apprenticeship Program

Roundtables to discuss Delaware’s progress coincide with announcement of funding won by Markell Administration

Wilmington, DE – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez, U.S. Sen Tom Carper, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Delaware DOL Secretary Patrice Gilliam-Johnson met in Wilmington on Oct. 3 to tour local Apprenticeship and Training operations and participate in two roundtables to discuss the program’s progress.

The visit coincides with a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor that Delaware has received a $200,000 federal grant to expand its Apprenticeship and Training operation by integrating the program into local education and workforce systems, engaging industry and other partners to expand apprenticeship to new sectors and new populations and expanding outreach with employers to offer new apprenticeship opportunities.

This work builds on efforts spearheaded by Governor Markell’s Administration that provide better pipelines to good jobs, including the TechHire initiative that has more than doubled participants incomes by giving them IT training, as well as the Pathways to Prosperity program, through which 6,000 high school students are on track to graduate with college credit and workplace experience in high-demand fields.

“We’re really excited about the strides we continue to make with our apprenticeship and training program in Delaware,” said Secretary Gilliam-Johnson. “We have seen the value of investments in high-quality workforce training through the success of Delawareans who have participated. And thanks to this grant and the support we’ve received from Senator Coons, Senator Carper, Congressman Carney and U.S. Labor Secretary Perez, we’re able to do even more to create employment opportunities for hard-working Delawareans.”

According to USDOL statistics, 87 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs, with an average starting wage above $50,000 per year. The return on investment for employers is substantial, as studies indicate that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers receive an average of $1.47 return in increased productivity, reduced waste and greater front-line innovation.

In Delaware the program has produced graduates since the mid 1970’s and currently has nearly 1,100 active registered apprentices in 23 different occupations. There are some 300 active sponsors or employers for these, with the largest numbers stemming from the electrician, plumbing and HVAC trades.

“Enhancing our apprenticeship offerings is one of the best ways to strengthen the quality of our workforce over the long term,” said Governor Markell. “This effort, combined with others like Pathways to Prosperity and TechHire, are helping to ensure Delaware remains competitive in the new economy and that we build on the progress that has led to the best job growth in the region. I welcome Secretary Perez to Delaware today and thank him and our congressional delegation for their support for these programs.”

The majority of apprenticeships are four years in length, with the participants receiving 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. For each year of training, a minimum of 144 hours of related instruction is required. Upon completion of the required on-the-job training and related instruction, the apprentice is eligible for “journey papers.” A journeyperson is nationally recognized as having a well-rounded ability in all phases of his or her trade.

Schedule of events

Apprenticeship Tour and Roundtable

What: Secretary Perez, will participate in an apprenticeship roundtable with Senator Carper, Senator Coons, Delaware Secretary of Labor Gilliam-Johnson, elected officials, community leaders and Apprenticeship program participants.

When: 10–11:30 am

Where: RC Fabrication, 824 Locust Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

***

Tech Hire Tour

What: Secretary Perez, Sen. Coons, Delaware Secretary of Labor Gilliam-Johnson, and business and community leaders will participate in a tour of Zip Code. They also will take part in a coding competition where they are put different teams of students competing against each other’s coding abilities.

When: 11:45am – 12:00pm

Where: Zip Code, 1105 N. Market Street, 3^rd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801

APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING WEEK

President Barack Obama proclaimed the week of November 2, 2015, as the first Annual National Apprenticeship Week. This year, the second Annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place November 14-20, 2016 NAW offers Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs, facilities, and apprentices, and gives Employers, Education, Industry Associations, Labor, Elected officials and other critical partners the opportunity to highlight how Registered Apprenticeship meets their needs for a skilled workforce.

Here’s video of Senator Coons highlighting Delaware Apprenticeship programs to mark National Apprenticeship Week:

https://youtu.be/xDtau3ZlqD0

ABOUT THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Division of Employment & Training

Division of Unemployment Insurance

Division of Industrial Affairs

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information

The combined efforts of these divisions and offices support the employment-related needs of nearly 400,000 Delaware workers and more than 20,000 businesses throughout the state.

Delaware Department of Labor To Hold 10th Employer Conference

Wilmington, Del. May 7, 2013 – Delaware businesses will find topical information about issues affecting their bottom line at the Delaware Department of Labor 10^th Employer Conference, May 16, 2013 at Chase Center on the Riverfront. This includes a look at “Delaware’s economy: where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going,” information about an improved process for accessing quality workers through Delaware-Job-Link, and current information on the Affordable Care Act, workers compensation, anti-discrimination and labor law.

The conference, on hiatus for about five years, will update businesses about labor law, workers compensation, anti-discrimination, the Affordable Care Act, and other issues affecting the business bottom line.

DOL decided to hold the conference because of several new initiatives. Among these is the newly designed resume builder at Delaware JobLink (www.joblink.delaware.gov), the state’s web-based job search and information portal. This will make it easier and faster for employers and skilled workers to find each other.

“As our economy becomes more global, more productive and more competitive, we want our employers and our workforce to be ready for the opportunities and the challenges ahead,” said Governor Jack Markell. “This is about informing and supporting employers in ways that help them strengthen, grow and hire for the future.”

“This conference provides employers an opportunity to discover the many tools and program resources available to support their employment needs,” said Delaware Department of Labor Secretary John J. McMahon Jr. “It’s important to remember the Department of Labor is much more than the unemployment office and has wide ranging services. We look forward to answering questions and introducing business leaders to our very talented and dedicated staff.”

Registration for the conference is $125 and the form is available online at delawareworks.com/events/2013-EmployerConference/DOL%20Brochure_Electronic.pdf. Exhibitor opportunities, at $250 are also available delawareworks.com/events/2013-EmployerConference/Exhibitors%20Form_Electronic.pdf.

###