DELAWARE- The pandemic has halted potential workers from taking jobs and Delaware's economy is taking a hit because of it.
To counter the shift, Members of the general assembly are looking to extend the SEED program offered by Delaware Technical Community College through Senate Bill 12. SEED+ is specifically targeted for adults who have had little to no college or other higher education experience because of COVID-19.
Delaware Tech President says this will help all fields fill open positions.
"Opening it up to programs such as IT, healthcare, and other types of certifications that can lead Delawareans to high quality jobs within a couple of weeks or months rather than years," Brainard said.
12th District State Senator Nicole Poore says families are owed the opportunity for their lives to improve after the events of the past year-plus.
"As we near the end of this crisis, we owe to the families to achieve a better life than the ones they left behind in March of 2020," Poore said.
Delmarva Temporary Staffing places people who have a college degree or previous work experience into jobs. President Melissa Joseph says the current interest in applying for positions here in Southern Delaware is extremely low because of the pandemic.
"Offices are being extremely cautious about people reporting back to work and providing all of the safety measures," Joseph said. "We are really experiencing a shortage of people willing to work."
As long as the votes are there, lawmakers can open the door to grow the first state's shorthanded workforce.
According to Delaware Tech, for every $1 million that is invested, 300 workers could get two semesters of free training and/or college credits through the Seed+ program.
