By Logan B. Anderson

WILMINGTON – Gov. John Carney announced plans Tuesday to invest $50 million the state’s workforce development programs.

“We hear constantly from site selectors that the most important thing — above regulations and tax policies, which are important — is the availability of a skilled workforce,” Gov. Carney said.

The governor made the announcement, along with Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, members of his Cabinet and private sector leaders, on Tuesday morning at Delaware Technical Community College’s Wilmington Campus.

The move will work to aid young people just entering the workforce and older people looking for a change. Part of the investment will go to the Forward Delaware jobs-training program for industries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and additional work-experience services for Delaware students.

The workforce investment plan is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on March 11.

“We’re focused on investments that will build on the strengths of Delaware’s world-class workforce and support Delaware families and businesses who were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Carney.

“These workforce development programs will help Delawareans develop the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. And the expansion of our Pathways program will connect even more students with real-world work experience while they’re still in school. I want to thank President Biden and members of Delaware’s federal delegation for making these important resources available.”

Delaware’s Pathways program, which links education and workforce development programs and allows students to gain real-world work experience while in school, will receive $15.8 million.

Formed in 2015, the Pathways program currently serves about 20,000 high school students.

The funding will allow Pathways to reach middle school students, extending its reach to more than 6,000 students. The investment will also grow the Pathways program in Delaware high schools to reach 32,000 students, about 80% of all students attending Delaware public high schools.

The state of Delaware will invest $8.3 million in the Pathways expansion — targeting support for workforce development in health care, information technology, finance and engineering. The investments will also expand employer-driven apprenticeship programs that allow Delawareans to “earn and learn” in high-growth, high-wage industries.

Private and public entities contributed major funding toward the next phase of work through 2024, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Walton Family Foundation, ASA (American Student Assistance), JPMorgan Chase, the Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee, and the Delaware Department of Education.

Additionally, the investments announced on Tuesday will support:

• $1.5 million – Delaware Department of Labor Workforce Programs. Training programs will be offered statewide and designed to assist Delaware workers and their families who have been impacted most by the COVID-19 crisis. The initiative will focus on health care, logistics and transportation.

• $1.2 million – Expansion of Delaware Department of Transportation Workforce Development Academy. Funding seeks to increase the participation of women, minorities, and disadvantaged Delawareans seeking employment in the highway construction industry.

• $1 million – Restaurant and Hotel Industry Support. Funding will focus on training and pathways to employment for Delawareans seeking employment in Delaware’s hospitality industry.

Karryl Hubbard, Delaware’s labor secretary, said Tuesday’s announcement will go to support programs that are important to Delaware’s workers.

“These critical federal funds will enhance an already successful model for developing and upskilling workers and will positively impact employment prospects for many underserved groups across the state. We look forward to working with our partners and providing training for critical industry needs,” she said.

Lt. Gov. Hall-Long said the funds will support the state’s economic place in the future.

“This investment in Delaware’s workforce will meet the challenges of tomorrow by working together, to strengthen Delaware’s economy, while providing our families the tools and skills they need to succeed,” she said. “This public-private partnership makes strategic investments in our workforce that were not only hit the hardest during the pandemic as well as those that will lead us into the future with a focus on careers in STEM, health care, increasing women and minorities in construction, and our restaurant and hotel industry.”