Gov. Carney announced $50 million investment in jobs training

October 5, 2021

Sarah Ash,

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney and state officials announced a $50 million investment in workforce development on Tuesday, including an expansion of the Forward Delaware jobs-training program for industries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and additional work experience services for Delaware students.

We’re told the investments are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, along with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.

“We’re focused on investments that will build on the strengths of Delaware’s world-class workforce and support Delaware families and businesses who were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Carney. “These workforce development programs will help Delawareans develop the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. And the expansion of our Pathways program will connect even more students with real-world work experience while they’re still in school. I want to thank President Biden and members of Delaware’s federal delegation for making these important resources available.”

This announcement includes a $15.8 million public-private expansion of Delaware’s Pathways program, which links education and workforce development programs and allows students to gain real-world experience while still in school. Pathways 2.0 will expand the Pathways program into Delaware middle schools and will reach more than 6,000 students. It will also grow the Pathways program in Delaware high schools to reach 32,000 students, which is about 80% of all students attending Delaware public high schools. The Pathways program was formed in 2015 and currently serves about 20,000 high school students.

The State of Delaware plans to invest $8.3 million in the Pathways 2.0 expansion, targeting support for workforce development in healthcare, IT, finance, and engineering. The investments will also expand employer-driven apprenticeship programs that allow Delawareans to “earn and learn” in high-growth, high-wage industries.

In addition, the investments announced on Tuesday will support the following:

$1.5 million for Delaware Department of Labor Workforce Programs. Training programs will be offered statewide and designed to help Delaware workers and their families who have been most impacted by COVID-19. The initiative will focus on healthcare, logistics, and transportation.
$1.2 million for expansion of the Delaware Department of Transporation Workforce Development Academy. Funding seeks to increase the participation of women, minorities, and disadvantaged Delawareans seeking employment in the highway construction industry.
$1 million for the Restaurant and Hotel Industry Support. Funding will focus on training and pathways to employment for Delawareans seeking employment in Delaware’s hospitality industry.