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. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]FEDERAL GOVERNMENT American Job Centers careeronestop.org/LocalHelp Delaware’s American Job Centers are located 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 American Job Center  joblink.delaware.gov/office_contacts/4302-761-8446 GEORGETOWN American Job Center joblink.delaware.gov/ada/r/offices/7302-761-8446 NEWARK American Job Center  joblink.delaware.gov/ada/r/offices/2302-761-8446 WILMINGTON American Job Center – Fox Valley joblink.delaware.gov/ada/r/offices/1302-761-8446 Apprenticeship Finder apprenticeship.gov Search for apprenticeships in your area with this Department of Labor website. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Career Outlook bls.gov/ooh This U.S. Department of Labor page has employment and wage data for many different occupations and industries, as well as first-hand accounts from people working those jobs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]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 jobseekers, as well as details about specific careers. For more information, go to labor.delaware.gov/divisions/employment-training/job-seeker-services. The division also provides 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 Labor Market 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. You can also 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 to help jobseekers 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 and education providers. Delaware Workforce Development Board labor.delaware.gov/wib William Potter, Executive Director william.potter@delaware.gov 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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]Forward Delaware abor.delaware.gov/forward-delaware Forward Delaware is a massive effort that was launched to retrain workers who were displaced by the COVID pandemic. It connects job seekers with both training and employers in the fields of health care, construction, hospitality/food service, logistics/transportation and IT. 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, but also teaches crucial life skills such as budgeting, team building and negotiation. Junior Achievement of Delaware (JA) juniorachievement.org/web/ja-delaware 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 My Way (jamyway.org), which helps students write resumes and cover letters, while also teaching other important skills such as project manage mentor writing a 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 info@delaware211.org College, Careers & Cash offers workshops meant to put students on the pathway to post-secondary education and careers. The custom-designed curriculum consists of three 45-minute interactive and engaging classroom workshops to help students understand the relationships between a lifestyle goal, educational attainment, and a realistic budget.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]SKILLS TRAINING PROVIDERS 2 Fish Home Renovations 2fishhomerenovations.com 484-459-2624  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 302-655-4511 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. 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 302-317-3020 info@codedifferently.com Code Differently’s mission is to increase diversity in tech by offering coding classes to members of traditionally under represented 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 health care 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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]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 A nonprofit partnership of students, teachers and industry promoting a thriving, skilled workforce. 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 Tech Impact's ITWorks is a proven program training 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 an Enhanced Workforce Development (EWFD) Program that teaches individuals basic workforce development skills such as presentation, interview skills and resume writing, and then continues with instruction on how to maintain a job and other key employment skills.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]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. Year Up yearup.org/locations/de-wilmington 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. Fall training offerings include application development and support, data analytics, and investment operations. Zip Code Wilmington zipcodewilmington.com This software-development boot camp trains both older and younger students for tech jobs and places them with local employers. Students go from average earnings of $26,700 a year before Zip Code to $74,673 after graduation. 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 302-857-6060 Majors include Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology, Optics, and Textile and Apparel Studies. Delaware State also offers non-credit entrepreneurship classes. For a full list, go to desu.edu/academics/majors-programs. Delaware Technical Community College dtcc.edu 302-857-1000 (Dover) 302-259-6000(Georgetown) 302-454-3900 (Stanton) 302-571-5300 (Wilmington) 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. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]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. Sussex Technical School District: Adult Education Division sussexvt.org/adult_education 302-856-0961 Advance your career through Sussex Tech with training programs, certificate programs, and apprenticeship training opportunities in a wide range of fields. Health profession programs include certified nursing assistant, clinical medical assistant, medical billing and coding, medical administrative assistant and phlebotomy technician, just to name a few. Sussex Vo-Tech’s apprenticeship students complete employer-sponsored training in automotive technology, carpentry, child care, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, marine outboard technician, water systems operations and welding. New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Adult Education Division nccvtadulteducation.com 302-683-3652/3642 The Adult Education Division offers 22 separate programs that include automotive, health careers, early childhood education and the major building/construction trades. It also provides related theory and limited hands-on training for all Technical Training and State Registered Apprentices. POLYTECH School District: Adult Education Division polytechworks.com 302-697-4545 POLYTECH Adult Education has been a provider of training and educational services in KentCounty since 1964. It provides multiple types of training such as apprenticeship training (in industrial and trade areas), computer technology, clerical and customer service, culinary arts, medical skills and other vocational and personal enrichment courses and programs. 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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]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. The College of Technology’s “Maker” certificate is designed to help you learn how to create, prototype, design and manufacture products. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS ABC Delaware abcdelaware.com 302-328-1111 ABC Delaware is the Delaware chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. It is a membership organization that represents more than 21,000 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 dca.build jchambers@e-dca.org 302-994-7442 Members of DCA have access to networking events and mentoring programs, as well as DCA-sponsored college and vocational classes at the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]Delaware Healthcare Association deha.org 302-674-2853 The Delaware Healthcare Association’s website has resources for exploring and planning a health care career, including finding the right educational path and certificate programs. It also lists training, job and scholarship opportunities as well as loan repayment programs. 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 professional development classes and provides apprenticeship opportunities through its Education Foundation. Delaware State AFL-CIO delawareaflcio.com 302-283-1330 AFL-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 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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]