Too many talented job seekers remain on the sidelines of our economy — and often not by choice, but due to gaps in opportunity. Although the U.S. economy generates tens of thousands of new jobs each month, there are simply not enough available workers to fill them.
Amid persistent labor shortages across the nation, circumstances in Delaware are especially severe. Today, our state has only 63 available workers for every 100 open jobs and unnecessary barriers to employment — many of which businesses unknowingly create or perpetuate — fuel large pools of overlooked talent or “hidden workers.”
As the President of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC), I’ve witnessed countless businesses in our state grapple with these issues. I strongly believe that to strengthen Delaware’s business community and workforce, our organizations need to prioritize expanding pathways to promising careers that attract — not bypass — these overlooked pools of talent. This includes offering livable, family-sustaining wages and true opportunities for advancement.
For our businesses to overcome challenges finding and retaining qualified employees, we should consider how our hiring and recruitment strategies of the past are not equipped to solve the labor challenges of today. It’s time for businesses to adapt or risk losing access to our most essential resource: human capital.
Understanding Our “Hidden Workforce”
As a result of automated screening processes, stigma, and lack of access to skills training or credentials, many members of our community remain effectively hidden from most employers. These “hidden workers” encompass a broad pool of talent — from a variety of backgrounds and experiences — including caregivers, veterans, immigrants, individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, people with disabilities, and more.
When our recruitment processes overlook these candidates, it doesn’t just deprive our companies of much-needed talent. It also creates pockets of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment that impact our state’s most vulnerable communities — and economy at large.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation in Delaware rate dropped to 59% in December of 2024, an all-time low since the state began tracking data in 1975. Our rapidly aging population further exacerbates this trend, among a variety of other factors. The Delaware Population Consortium (DPC) projects that the number of people aged 65+ will increase 44% by the year 2040 — a significant jump that affirms the need to shore up new sources of talent.
Revitalizing Our Talent Pipelines
Finding solutions to today’s workforce challenges is a collective endeavor and businesses don’t have to go it alone.
To unlock new pipelines of skilled talent, businesses should explore participating in workforce development programs that are specifically designed to address the needs of our unique labor market. This entails programs that improve outreach strategies, recognize people’s potential, and build community trust with the support of local leaders.
The new Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative (EHI), for example, is a strategic pilot project
powered by JPMorganChase and led by a coalition of local and national partners that equips local employers with customized hiring solutions and ongoing support. It not only trains businesses on inclusive hiring practices but helps them identify and measure progress. Employers who go through the program also gain access to local community-based organizations who help source and prepare overlooked candidates with career readiness training and support, thus closing the skills gaps.
These are exactly the types of programs that will help set our state on a path towards greater prosperity.
As someone who has spent significant time living, working, and building relationships in Wilmington — and with my family still rooted in the city — I take great pride in being part of this vibrant business community. Through my work with a broad network of local businesses across sectors, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that innovative workforce strategies can have on our economic future.
If we, as a business community, embrace a renewed perspective on our talent acquisition strategies, especially by leveraging workforce development programs — we can strengthen our economy, address labor shortages, and create more inclusive workplaces built on the longstanding American principles of equal opportunity for all.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Yvonne Deadwyler is the first woman and minority President and CEO of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, championing Delaware’s local businesses and economic growth. With over 15 years of corporate banking and nonprofit leadership experience, she remains deeply involved in community initiatives, serving on boards such as TeenSharp and Downtown Visions, and co-founding the Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement at Bank of America.
