Are you ready to get started on a career in the trades? There are lots of resources available in Delaware to help you out with polishing your resume, getting the right skills, connecting with employers, and even paying for a degree or certificate. Also, even if you’re not interested in a four-year degree, take a look at Delaware’s universities and colleges to see what other options they might have to offer for your first steps.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
American Job Centers
CareerOneStop.org/LocalHelp
Delaware’s American Job Centers are located in in Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington and Newark. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration, these centers provide resource rooms with free internet, phones and resume-writing tools; job training services; job search assistance; help with employment plan development; career counseling; practice interviewing; employment workshops and much more.
ONE STOP CENTERS
DOVER
Dover American Job Center
302-739-5473
GEORGETOWN
Georgetown American Job Center
302-761-8085
NEWARK
Newark American Job Center
302-453-4350
WILMINGTON
Fox Valley American Job Center
302-761-8085
Apprenticeship Finder
Apprenticeship.gov
Search for apprenticeships in your area with this Department of Labor website.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
BLS.gov/ooh
The U.S. Department of Labor’sOccupational Outlook Handbook is searchable and has employment and wage data for many different occupations and industries. You can also find detailed overviews of what responsibilities each occupation entails, what training is required, and what career prospects are like in your local area.
HELP CHOOSING A CAREER
Jobs for Delaware Graduates
JobsDEGrads.org
302-734-9341
Jobs for Delaware Graduates works to help students achieve academic, career, personal and social success. The organization offers internships and job training programs from middle school up, but also teaches crucial life skills such as budgeting, team building and negotiation.
Junior Achievement of Delaware (JA)
Delaware.JA.org
JA’s programs aim to equip young people to plan for their futures and achieve economic success. Financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness are important pillars of its training programs. One of the resources offered by JA is JA Connect (jamyway.org), which helps students write resumes and cover letters, while also teaching other important skills such as project management or writinga business plan.
Princeton Review
PrincetonReview.com/quiz/career-quiz
Free 24-question interest inventory/career guide.
Stand By Me
StandByMeDE.org/college-careers-cash
1-800-560-3372
delaware211@uwde.org
College, Careers & Cash is a collaboration between the United Way and the State of Delaware that offers workshops meant to put students (starting in 10th grade) on the pathway to post-secondary education and careers. The custom-designed curriculum consists of interactive and engaging classroom workshops that help students understand the relationships between a lifestyle goal, educational attainment and a realistic budget.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Delaware College of Art and Design
DCAD.edu
info@dcad.edu
302-622-8000
At DCAD, students can learn or polish skills in graphic design, animation, illustration and other fields that might be relevant for future makers.
Delaware State University
DESU.edu
Majors include Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology, Optics, and Textile and Apparel Studies. DSU also offers non-credit entrepreneurship classes through its Center for Enterprise Development and other lifelong learning opportunities through its Adult/Continuing Education division. For a full list of programs, go to desu.edu/academics/majors-programs.
Delaware Technical Community College
DTCC.edu
302-857-1000
DTCC is an open-admission institution whose degree programs prepare students to go directly into the workforce. The college also offers training for adults already in the workplace. Areas of study include Architectural Engineering Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Computer-Aided Drafting/Design Technology, Construction Management, Machinist Training and many others. For a full list, go to dtcc.edu/academics/programs-study.
Goldey-Beacom College
GBC.edu
302-998-8814
Majors and certificate programs at Goldey-Beacom are focused on business skills, making it a great choice if you’re considering setting up your own company. For example, you can learn the basics of accounting or brush up on Microsoft Office.
Harris School of Business
Facebook.com/harrisschoolwilmington
302-478-8890
Harris School of Business provides career-focused education to adults in the fields of allied health and business management.
Sussex Technical School District: Adult Education Division
SussexVT.org/adult_education
302-856-9035
Sussex Tech’s affordable services help jobseekers learn both basic and advanced computer skills. Additionally, the Adult Education Division offers skilled certification programs in healthcare fields and works closely with a number of business partners on apprenticeship and skilled trades training in fields such as auto repair, early childcare, electrical trades, HVAC and welding.
New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Adult Education Division
NCCVTAdultEducation.com
302-683-3642
The Adult Education Division (AED) of the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District offers a wide range of educational programs. Part-time and evening courses are offered for students in academic, apprenticeship training, certification and technical training programs. AED can help, whether you need to improve your basic skills, get a GED credential, obtain a skill for a career, or are looking for personal enrichment opportunities.
POLYTECH School District: Adult Education Division
PolytechWorks.com
302-697-4545
POLYTECH Adult Education has been a provider of training and educational services in Kent County since 1964. It provides apprenticeship training (in industrial and trade areas) as well as career and certificate programs ranging from phlebotomy to driver’s education and medical insurance billing.
University of Delaware
UDel.edu
302-831-2792
In addition to traditional undergraduate and graduate studies, UD students have options for online enrollment or professional and continuing studies programs. Majors offered at UD include Apparel Design, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation, Landscape Architecture, Medical Laboratory Science and many more. A list of professional and continuing-studies programs is at pcs.udel.edu
Wilmington University
WilmU.edu
877-967-5464
Wilmington University offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs. Many of them are available online or include work experiences for credit.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS
Associated Builders and Contractors of Delaware/ABC Delaware
ABCDelaware.com
302-328-1111
ABC is a membership organization representing employers in the construction industry. Among other services, ABC offers education and training for workers in the building trades. You can also use the organization’s membership directory (abcdelaware.com/membership/membership-directory) to identify and connect with local employers.
Delaware Bankers Association
DEBankers.com
302-678-8600
A trade association offering professional development for members of the banking industry. For a list of education programs offered, go to debankers.com/education.html.
Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council
DEBuildingTrades.com
delawarebuildingstrades@gmail.com
302-369-9600
The Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, represents 24 affiliated local unions in the construction sector. The website offers information about the benefits of union membership and provides lists with the contact information of local building contractors, such as bricklayers, cement masons and plasterers, roofers, iron workers, glaziers and more.
Delaware Contractors Association
E-DCA.org
bshort@e-dca.org
302-994-7442
Members of DCA have access to working events and mentoring programs, as well as DCA-sponsored college and vocational classes at the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College.
Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership
DEMEP.org
info@demep.org
302-283-3131
DEMEP helps Delaware manufacturers stay competitive by providing resources to acquire new technologies, reduce waste and drive growth. The DEMEP website provides great insights into key challenges and solutions in manufacturing today. The organization also offers training programs on lean manufacturing practices.
Delaware Motor Transport Association
DelawareTrucking.org
302-734-9400
info@delawaretrucking.org
DMTA is the state trucking association for Delaware. It can organize and facilitate seminars and workshops for professional development.
Delaware Restaurant Association
DelawareRestaurant.org
In addition to ProStart, the association also offers free industry training opportunities through its Education Foundation.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment & Training
Labor.Delaware.gov/divisions/employment-training
The Division of Employment & Training’s website provides helpful links to services for job seekers (such as job search tools and resume creation help), as well as details about specific careers. The division also offers a lot of information on apprenticeships — including video testimonials from apprentices — at Labor. Delaware.gov/divisions/employment-training/apprenticeship-and-training.
Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Occupational and LaborMarket Information
Labor.Delaware.gov/divisions/oolmi
This page lists employment statistics and wages for some 500 different occupations, and also includes projections for approximately 100 industries. In addition, you can look up data on employers by industry. One particularly helpful Department of Labor resource is the Delaware Career Compass, a publication that is designed to help both young people and older job seekers find a career that’s right for them. It provides information on salaries, growth prospects and education requirements for a wide range of occupations, as well as questionnaires and checklists designed to help job seekers decide what they’d like to do. It can be found at Labor.Delaware.gov/divisions/oolmi/publications/delaware-career-compass.
Delaware JobLink
JobLink.Delaware.gov
This job database run by the Delaware Department of Labor can connect qualified workers and recent graduates to thousands of available job openings. A separate search function on the site also lets you look for training providers.
Delaware Workforce Development Board
Labor.Delaware.gov/wdb
302-761-8163
The Delaware Workforce Development Board offers occupational training to workers and connects them with employers. The board’s Youth Council runs programs to help Delaware’s neediest and most at-risk youth prepare for the workforce.
SKILLS TRAINING PROVIDERS
2 Fish Home Renovations
2FishHomeRenovations.com
484-459-2624 (Keith Smith)
2fishhomerenovations@gmail.com
2 Fish Home Renovations’ mission is to provide initial employment and job development in the construction industry for out-of-school youth and formerly incarcerated young adults.
American Driver Training Academy
AmericanDriverTraining.com
866-853-0856
contactus@americandrivertraining.com
The Academy provides not just comprehensive training services for those seeking to earn a CDL-A license for commercial trucking, but also adheres to a Lifetime Job Placement Policy: if a graduate loses their job or wants to drive for a different company, the Academy will help them become re-employed.
The Challenge Program
ChallengeProgram.org
302-655-0945
info@challengeprogram.org
Challenge Program trainees gain on-the-job experience working on professional construction projects. The organization primarily rehabilitates low-income housing for local government and nonprofit agencies. In addition, The Challenge Program occasionally chooses jobs that will give trainees exposure to local contractors working on commercial construction sites.
Code Differently
CodeDifferently.com
302-669-9182
info@codedifferently.com
Code Differently’s mission is to increase diversity in tech by offering coding classes to members of traditionally underrepresented groups, whether they’re just starting out in the job market or looking to make a change.
Dawn Career Institute
DawnCareerInstitute.edu
302-273-3560
Dawn Career Institute offers both campus-based and online career-focused diploma programs, leading to professional certifications and licenses in a variety of healthcare and wellness fields.
Delaware Skills Center
DESkillsCenter.org
302-654-5392
The Delaware Skills Center offers training in a variety of trades, including carpentry, HVAC, welding and fabrication, licensed practical nursing and computer network support.
Delaware Nurses Association
DENurses.WildApricot.org
The Delaware Nurses Association offer sits members a wide range of career-development courses, such as training on how to administer immunization, provide more appropriate/inclusive care to LGBTQ+ people and appropriately dose opioids.
Goodwill Workforce Development
Mission@GoodwillDE.org
302-761-4640
More than the store! Goodwill’s Workforce Development team serves youth, adults and seniors entering, re-entering, or making a career change in the workforce. It also offers five levels of computer skills training and Microsoft and Google certifications through the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator® as well as work-based learning opportunities, including the GoodWorks Retail Job Training Program, Work A Day Earn A Pay, and in New Castle County, the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP). All of these workforce development programs are provided to learners at no cost thanks in part to community members who donate and shop with Goodwill.
ProStart
ChooseRestaurants.org/prostart
ProStart is a two-year, industry-written curriculum for high school students, designed to teach the culinary and management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and food-service industry. For a list of schools offering this curriculum in Delaware, go to delawarerestaurant.org/education/prostart.
SkillsUSA-Delaware
DelawareSkillsUSA.org
This nonprofit partnership aims to create a bond between full-time students who are enrolled in classes with trade and industrial objectives. SkillsUSA provides educational programs, events and competitions to support career and technical education.
Tech Hire Delaware
TechHireDelaware.org
info@techhiredelaware.org
Tech Hire Delaware is making it easier for all people to launch a career in tech with its technology certificate and accelerated training programs. While in training, recruits receive career counseling to help them with interview skills, resume building and workplace etiquette. Once training is complete, Tech Hire Delaware will work to connect candidates with employers seeking tech talent.
Tech Impact
TechImpact.org/our-programs/itworks
302-256-5015
ITWorks trains young people for entry-level IT careers. During the free 16-week program, students spend the first 11 weeks in the classroom learning about PC hardware, troubleshooting, IT networking, security and much more to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification. Then, students gain real-life, hands-on experience during a five-week internship at a local corporation or nonprofit. The program is offered twice a year — in the spring and fall— and is bolstered by the support of over 100 volunteers in each location.
The Wilmington HOPE Commission
WilmHOPE.org
302-407-3397
The Wilmington HOPE Commission targets reduction of the impact of violence and promotes well-being in communities by advocating for, supporting, empowering and assisting ex-offenders to positively integrate back into their communities. The commission provides a workforce development program that teaches individuals basic workforce development skills such as presentation, interview skills and resume writing.
West End Neighborhood House
WestEndNH.org/programs
302-658-4171
West End Neighborhood House offers free employment opportunities for youth and adults 16 years of age and older. Services are designed to help individuals build the critical thinking skills necessary to enhance employability and gain and retain employment. The nonprofit also runs an entrepreneurship program to help new businesses get off the ground.
Year Up
YearUp.org/locations/de-wilmington
302-992-8806
Year Up works to ensure that young adults gain the skills and experiences that will help them reach their potential in careers and higher education. The nonprofit focuses on career training that meets the hiring needs of its local partners.
Zip Code Wilmington
ZipCodeWilmington.com
302-256-5203
This software-development boot camp trains both older and younger students for tech jobs and places them with local employers. Placed graduates of the program earn an average of over $74,000 a year, and 93% of graduates are placed in paid roles within six months of graduating.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS
Delaware State AFL-CIO
DelawareAFLCIO.com
302-283-1330AFL-CIO’s Delaware page provides important information on why unions matter to employees in manufacturing, construction and beyond, as well as a list of unions Delaware workers can join, with contact information for most (delawareaflcio.com/how-to-join-a-union).
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce/Delaware Manufacturing Association
DSCC.com, DSCC.com/dma.html
info@dscc.com
302-655-7221
The chamber advocates on behalf of businesses throughout the state. For jobseekers, the chamber’s website provides a searchable job bank. The Delaware Manufacturing Association, an affiliate of DSCC, sponsors networking events in the manufacturing sector.
