What do they have in common? They both wanted a change and found it in programs offered at adult learning centers throughout the state. Today Kastel, 54, is finishing a program to become a licensed clinical nurse, and Kamin, 21, is an apprentice about to get his journeyman papers as an electrician.

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These days, it is almost unheard of for a person to keep the same job for his or her entire career, but making a change often requires a new set of skills and possibly certifications. Delaware’s vocational schools, Delaware Technical Community College and several nonprofits and stand-alone programs are available throughout the state to help. Classes can often be taken on a full and part-time basis and run from quick certifications to full degrees.
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“[Graduates] have access to a plethora of corporate partners,” says James Thompson, a data engineer who graduated from Zip Code Wilmington. He says he tripled his salary after graduating from the 12-week coding boot camp. “Basically, [Zip Code] grooms you and then they sit you in front of [employers].”
Run by the Department of Labor through the vocational schools, apprenticeship programs allow students to earn while they learn. Registered apprentices are sponsored by the employees and the state for the 8,000 hours (generally four years) of work and class time.

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Apprentices work during the day to receive on-the-job training and attend school at night at one of the state’s vocational schools. As their skills increase, so do their wages. One instructor tells of a student making $70,000 a year before he finished. Kamin also says he’s earning a pretty good living while going through the apprenticeship program.
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There are apprenticeship programs in the hospitality industry, carpentry, welding, HVAC, auto mechanic, electrical, administrative assistance and software development, to name a few. If you’re not sure what field is right for you, resources exist to help you with that decision.
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“We’ve created a series of on-ramp courses that really are exploratory,” says Jeremy McEntire, assistant director of adult education for POLYTECH Adult Education near Dover. The idea behind these courses at POLYTECH and the other vocational schools is to give a person the basic skills to get a job and join an apprenticeship program. “We can get you a job in one semester.”
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Getting Funds for Training
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Check websites for the Delaware Department of Labor, DTCC, Sussex Tech, POLYTECH and New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District for adult classes. Talk to people running these programs. They are all set up to provide help in getting started, says Kittel. “It’s a great opportunity,” says Kastel. The tuition for her nursing degree was more than $13,000 and was covered entirely by the Department of Labor.
- Skills training programs vary in cost and duration, but some are free and take only a few weeks to complete.
- Skills training providers can pave the way to an apprenticeship, where you get paid a good wage while learning additional skills on the job.
- If money is a concern, there are scholarships and grants available to help.
Adult Training Providers at a Glance
Delaware Department of Labor
labor.delaware.gov/divisions/employment-training
Delaware Skills Center (affiliated with the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District)
deskillscenter.org
Delaware Technical Community College
dtcc.edu
POLYTECH Adult Education
polytechworks.com
Sussex Tech Adult Education
sussexvt.org/hs/adult-education