December 1, 2020 – 

From testing the safety and efficacy of promising COVID-19 vaccines to fashionable mobility devices to help kids feel like kids, Delaware’s bioscience community is innovating. Life-changing research, therapies and products are being developed right here in the First State by many of the world’s top scientists.

“Our bioscience industry is driven by innovation that benefits patients and society and by research that saves and improves lives,” said Michael Fleming, president and CEO of the Delaware Bioscience Association. “Clearly, there has never been a time when the immense value of Delaware’s bioscience industry is more apparent.” 

Local companies making a difference despite the challenges imposed by the novel coronavirus pandemic were the focus of Delaware Bio’s annual Igniting Innovation Week. Like most activities this year, the event occurred virtually. All of the event videos, along with a digital program booklet, are available for viewing here. https://delawarebio.org/delaware-bio-events/igniting-innovation-week/

Fireside Chat on Therapeutic Progress

The week kicked off with a fireside chat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXmbrl21lQ&feature=emb_logo between AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Ruud Dobber and Philip Amoa, corporate secretary for Delaware Bio. Dobber shared progress on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine — now a Phase 3 clinical trial — and spoke of the massive, but inspiring all-hands-on-deck work ahead to distribute 3 billion doses worldwide.

“Let’s not forget what we are seeing during COVID-19, but equally the devastating collateral damage if people are not getting their medication for cancer, asthma or COPD, as well,” said Dobber. “Science translates to real medicine, and we are bullish about the progress we are making in all therapeutic areas,” he said. 

Treating Children in Delaware — and Around the World

Every day in Delaware, Delaware Bio member organizations focus on cutting-edge research and technology applications that bring hope and joy to the youngest among us. Meanwhile, as discussed in the Day 2 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG6SyJQ6gdM&feature=emb_rel_pause, they are cementing Delaware’s status as a global leader in children’s medical care.

Wilmington-based Nemours/AI du Pont Hospital for Children is training the next generation of researchers through 620 ongoing research projects in high-impact areas. These include airway disease and cystic fibrosis; cancer outcomes, markers and therapeutics; neurodevelopmental and musculoskeletal disease; and diabetes and obesity.

Just a short drive away, biomedical researchers and engineers at the University of Delaware are hard at work improving connections, independence and life outcomes for children. UD studies are examining how children form trusting attachments to foster parents, building modified cars to enhance mobility and intersecting fashion and biomechanics to create kid-friendly devices that improve mobility, independence and functionality.

A Vibrant Bioscience Economy Advances New Products, Services

As explored in the Day 3 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgxWvF7XlQY&feature=emb_logo, whether in cell analysis, nanotherapy for veterinary applications or entrepreneurial growth and exciting new deals, big changes are happening every day across Delaware’s bioscience industry. Trailblazing work by Delaware Bio members expands biopharmaceuticals, devices, new technology and contract research. In the last 12 months alone, dozens of new products have come out of Delaware, positioning the state at the “center of the world for innovation.”

Contract research programs are invaluable partners to Delaware Bio member companies. These programs help the companies operate with flexibility, efficiency and expertise to solve today’s challenges and bring pharmaceutical products to market faster. 

Delaware’s Unique Infrastructure Strengthens Bioscience Economy

New deals, growth expansion and innovation to improve the lives and outcomes of patients are most productive when they stem from mutually valuable partnerships – such as ChristianaCare’s innovative teaming with Medtronics, featured in the Day 4 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4PlTzFjsAY&feature=emb_logo. Together, the Delaware-based health system and the world’s largest medical technology company share accountability to use technology to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Learnings will not only benefit patients here in Delaware, but will be shared with other health systems to impact care and highlight the importance of value throughout the country. 

Such commitment to partnership and Delaware’s unique infrastructure nurture and support the state’s vibrant bioscience economy through major global transactions, business development and growth opportunities – and increase global visibility for local organizations and companies. Helping to pave the way for early-stage startups to establish roots in Delaware are programs such as Edge Grants, which provide financing support for startups and entrepreneurs; the recently renovated Delaware Innovation Space, which offers private laboratory pods and Phase I research talent support to drive creativity in protected intellectual property; and FastPass and First Fund, which facilitate funding and private investment. Contributing as well is the new headquarters for NIIMBLE (National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing BioPharmaceuticals), which brings together academia, nonprofits and local businesses to research and develop financially self-sustaining manufacturing innovations on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus.

Cooperation, Collaboration Make Delaware Healthier and More Economically Vital

The nearly 7,000 researchers, programmers, engineers and system analysts employed in the state’s 597 biosciences establishments agree that the spirit of cooperation and collaboration found in Delaware — a state where everybody knows everybody — is “far different here” than it is almost anywhere else.

As featured in the Day 5 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqKGeilGEP4&feature=emb_logo, Delaware enjoys a long history of being able to financially support the growth of new companies and enable them to move fast with easy access to elected officials and decisionmakers. It also is known for its synergy and collaboration across sectors and geography that brings bioscientists together to focus on what can be done to make Delaware healthier and more economically vital.

“We can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy community,” said Delaware Governor John Carney, who co-chairs the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Board of Directors and opened each Igniting Innovation session. “Delaware’s BioScience community is helping us achieve both for a better future.”

Stay Up To Date With Delaware

November 13, 2020 | BISNOW

There’s only one city in the nation where the cars in the commuter parking lots bear license plates from four different states every day. 

While Southern Delaware may be best known for its picturesque beaches, Wilmington and its environs are home to some of the world’s biggest companies. And with the ability to draw on talent pools from Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania — and to bring in daily visitors stretching from Virginia to Connecticut — Wilmington serves as the key link in the office market’s uninterrupted chain along the East Coast. 

But there’s much more to living and working in the First State than the corporate grind. Read on to learn more about what makes Delaware the best-kept secret in the office market.

1. Top-Tier Companies Already Call Delaware Home

Most business professionals know that over 60% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware. But they may not realize just how many top-tier companies keep major offices in the state. JPMorgan has 12,000 of its employees in Wilmington, and Bank of America keeps 6,000 employees in nearby Newark, Delaware. Barclays has two buildings along the Wilmington Riverfront, while Goldman Sachs has just announced a new office in the city. 

Unlike many of its peer cities along the East Coast, the market for office space in Wilmington has remained “remarkably stable” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Newmark. There has also been an uptick in leasing from law firms in the city center, and few companies have chosen to sublease their space, which may be a mark of stability in these uncertain times.

2. Affordability In The Heart Of It All

Many companies are weighing whether to pivot their office spaces to a hub-and-spoke model, establishing presences in smaller cities and suburbs. A key factor in where those outposts will be is affordability — more affordable space means more offices overall, and a wider geographic net for talent.

Newmark reports that as of Q3 2020, the average asking rent for office space in downtown Wilmington was $26.08 per SF, and $27.64 for Class-A space. In comparison, the overall average asking rent was $83.20 per SF in Midtown Manhattan and $57.38 per SF in Washington, D.C.

Delaware is also among the most affordable states in the Northeast for its residents. The state has no sales tax, and housing costs in Wilmington are 78% lower than in New York and 58% lower than in Washington, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research.

3. Big Growth Comes In A Small Package

Delaware’s population has swelled by over 25% in the last two decades. The state’s largest city is also expanding, with residential development taking off in Wilmington’s central business district and in the downtown-adjacent Riverfront neighborhood. The Riverfront’s residential population grew by 40% between 2010 and 2018 and now boasts more than 2,500 residents, with 633 new residential units having been developed in the CBD and the Riverfront since 2016.

Many more units are on the way. There are currently 923 units under development in the CBD and Riverfront, the largest of which include 208 new units at 517 Shipley, 160 new units at the Nemours Building — which is home to The Mill, Wilmington’s premier coworking space — and 150 units at River House along the Christina River.

4. Homegrown Talent And Beyond

Companies that call Delaware home can pull from a diverse and highly educated population. Among working adults in Wilmington and the suburbs of New Castle County, 37.5% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. But the talent doesn’t stop at the border: With the city being a 15-minute drive from three other states and a short train ride from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and New York, Wilmington companies can cast a wide net for talent far beyond Delaware itself.

Americans are also re-evaluating where they live and work, and as they search for more flexibility, space and balance in their lives, smaller cities are expected to bring in some of the former residents of the nation’s metropolises, driving growth and investment.

5. A Local Focus Means There’s More To Love Nearby

Delaware may be one of the smallest states in the nation by area, but locals being able to drive across the state in 20 minutes gives them the opportunity to appreciate more of its attractions. Whether it’s wintertime skating at Riverfront Rink, catching a show at The Queen theater or The Grand Opera House, or planning a day trip to Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington residents have a wealth of recreation opportunities in their backyard. 

But a tight-knit community around Wilmington means that even when they live across state lines, families and friends are rarely more than a short trip away.

This feature was produced by Bisnow Branded Content in collaboration with Delaware Prosperity Partnership. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Kurt Foreman

PRESIDENT & CEO

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November 5, 2020 – 

SMYRNA – The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) celebrated a Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Duck Creek Business Campus, the KRM Development Corporation’s newest project, on Thursday, November 5^th, at 10 am in Smyrna.  The ceremony was held at the site of the new facility – 5806 DuPont Parkway, between the Royal Farms and WaWa in Smyrna, Delaware. Many CDCC members and local officials came out to celebrate KRM’s newest location.

Duck Creek Business Campus (DCBC) is located in the heart of Delaware, on 206-acres, nestled between Route 1 and Highway 13, in historic Smyrna, Delaware.  This prime location is only one hour south of Philadelphia, two hours from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore and just 5 hours from New York City – and yet still offers the charm of a close-knit, historic community.

DCBC is excited to be part of the Central Delaware community.  The new Business Campus has the potential to house over 4,000 jobs in the research, office, manufacturing and warehousing industries – and create enough positive economic impact to add to hundreds of jobs on local, county, and state levels.  This positive impact promises to provide an increased tax base as new businesses attract new families to the area. That increased tax base will provide financial support for local schools and existing businesses. 

About KRM Development Corporation

KRM Development Corporation is a full-service developer with facilities in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.  Headquartered in Chestertown, MD, KRM is committed to providing superior customer service to each of their valued customers.  Because they maintain an inventory of space, they promise that their clients can get settled into their new professional office locations faster and with less hassle by choosing to partner with KRM Development. As a full-service developer, they are happy to support all phases of the development process – from construction to leasing to space planning and maintenance.  The team at KRM is fully focused on providing complete customer satisfaction.  For anyone looking for commercial space, they stand ready to assist in finding a perfect new location. 

To learn more about KRM and the Duck Creek Business Campus, call (410) 810-1574.  You can also visit them on the web at www.krm-dev.com. Please join the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce in congratulating KRM and the Duck Creek Business Campus on their new location!

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October 16, 2020 – 

Sports have always served as an apt metaphor for life. Likewise, lessons learned on the fields, courts and athletic training rooms often inspire the business world.

Melding those concepts, the Goldey-Beacom College Doctor of Business Administration Program and its Entrepreneurship Club sponsored a TEDx Salon on sports psychology. GBC sponsors these small sessions bi-monthly to keep the community engaged between regular TEDx events while delving deeply into specific topics and invigorating the Delaware business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ryan Drummond

So, what do sports psychology concepts have to offer the greater Delaware business community? Entrepreneur Ryan Drummond believes the two worlds have plenty of overlap. His speech, “Unlocking the Collective Power of Athletes to Solve Real World Challenges” highlighted the ways in which businesses can harness the determination and vision of former elite athletes to help their organizations meet and further raise industry goals.

On the flip side, Drummond explained how elite athletes can convert the passion they felt about their chosen sport into new career paths and opportunities. Drummond himself is an example of such a transformation. He went from being a University of Delaware lacrosse co-captain to starting his own company, The Athlete Book, which uses gamification to help college athletes explore employers virtually.

Dr. Joel Fish

Philadelphia sports psychologist Joel Fish recounted working with professional athletes to improve their mental game. His four-step process of identifying attitudes about winning, pinpointing stressors or challenges, coming up with strategies to counter the stress and evaluating and regrouping gives athletes a mental edge from the playing fields to non-sports situations.

Jeremy Benoit

Jeremy Benoit, assistant athletic director at Goldey-Beacom, presented “The Difficult Conversation: A Necessity for Growth.” Benoit advocates for better communications to improve relationships within teams or athletic programs. His advice on being intentional with meeting environments and understanding different communication styles applies to boardroom meetings and even those conversations taking place over the dinner table.

Scott Mosier

Scott Mosier, athletic director and soccer coach at Salesianum High School, opened with the question, “What do we want our kids to gain from playing sports?” Answers included socialization, functioning within a team, experiencing adversity, and having fun. Then, referencing the current atmosphere of highly competitive youth sports leagues, Mosier raised a bigger question: What are kids actually getting from sports? Depression, he answered, is being experienced by student-athletes at rates higher than the general population.

Considering sports to be a training ground for future life endeavors, Mosier suggested that youth sports – just as business – should reframe failure as opportunity. He invoked Michael Jordan, who was never more motivated to improve than when he lost. Jordan, he said, invited failure, and it became his best teacher.

Three of Goldey-Beacom’s student-athletes also spoke. Jono Hooper, cross-country/track and field from Brisbane, Australia, gave his perspective of life for international college athletes. Kiera Young, soccer, gave voice to the added challenges of depression and anxiety on a college athlete. Tre Prescott, former cross-country runner and a GBC graduate, emphasized the function that sports play in becoming self-aware.

“Sports tell the truth,” Prescott said. “If you are consistently missing shots from the free-throw line, you need to work on your free throws.”

Dr. Dan Young, organizer of the TEDx event and director of the Doctor of Business Administration Program, expressed pride in the students and athletic programs at Goldey-Beacom. That is one of the reasons he chose to focus on sports psychology for this salon.

“Goldey-Beacom is known throughout the Mid-Atlantic region as a powerhouse in Division II athletics,” he said. “A relatively large part of our student population not only participate in athletics, but also have high GPAs and devote their time to other clubs and community service. This is in addition to working a part-time job, which a majority of the students do. My belief is that this level of grit, discipline and maturity coalesces with the lessons that athletics teach us. It is for those reasons that it created a perfect synergy with TEDx.”

Heather Mitts

The event’s closing speaker was a three-time Olympic gold medalist: soccer player Heather Mitts. She discussed her GOLD Medal Mindset formula for success, which is just as applicable to business and life as it is to sports: Give yourself permission to achieve your goals; Own your identity; Learn to control what you can control; and Don’t stop until you are successful. She also shared the story of her comeback after a career-halting torn ACL. Following grueling months of surgery, therapy, rehabilitation and training, Mitts rebounded from her injury and went on to help the U.S. Women’s National Team win two more gold medals in soccer at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Fittingly, her words – which concluded Goldey-Beacom’s final TEDx Salon of 2020 – came down to a lesson in resilience. With so many of this area employees, small businesses, larger corporations, schools and universities seeking insight to  help then weather the COVID-19 storm, her message was a welcome one.

“Grit and resilience are the secret sauce that help you to go from a world-class athlete to a world-class champion,” Mitts said. “It is amazing what our brains and bodies are capable of when belief supersedes doubt and love of self conquers fear of trying.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the TedxSalon was limited to a small audience. The event was recorded, though, and the talks may be viewed using the links embedded above.

Stay Up To Date With Delaware

October 15, 2020 – 

Delaware Prosperity Partnership sponsors insightful ‘Innovations in Health Sciences’ discussion with academic, healthcare and business visionaries

Empathy, love, equity, partnership and personalization are key words as Delaware shifts the focus of how we, as a state, look at innovations in the rapidly changing world of healthcare. So concurred a panel of experts participating in “Innovations in Health Sciences,” a webinar hosted by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences. The session was sponsored by Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Benefits Connection, the Allen Insurance Group, IFS Insurance, and M&T Bank.

Panelists included Dora Cheatham of the Delaware Sustainability Chemistry Alliance, Martha Hall, Ph.D., of the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, Cindy Bo, chief strategy and business development officer for Nemours Children’s Health System, and Doug Godfrin, founder and chief executive officer of drug-delivery technology startup VeraMorph. Many of the innovations they discussed are being accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as by another public health crisis facing our state and country today — racism and the need to create a healthier community through more equitable care.

In Delaware, innovation is all about getting people in the room, said Dean Kathleen S. Matt, Ph.D., of UD’s College of Health Sciences, who partnered with ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, to deliver the webinar’s keynote address. While other states may get people into a room for conversation, Matt said, Delaware’s advantage is that action steps follow those conversations.

“In Delaware, she said, “we make things happen together.”

Matt joined the online discussion from the Tower at STAR where UD faculty, staff, students and collaborators identify, address and help solve some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges. Among their innovations are advances in virtual simulation training for clinical students and quality-of-life-enhancing wearable assistive technologies developed by biomedical engineers.

Together Delaware Fuels Innovations in Health Sciences

“Combining research, education and clinical care in our buildings provides an opportunity to enhance interdisciplinary work and speed translation from discovery to delivery,” Matt said. She also highlighted UD innovations ranging from a Parkinson’s Clinic in partnership with ChristianaCare to the university’s innovation healthcare theater. The latter allows students to observe videoed interactions between actual patients and providers, explore rationale behind clinical decisions and follow the progression of patient care from the bedside to the patient’s home.

The strong partnerships so prevalent in Delaware are not the only key to enhancing the training of the next generation of healthcare leaders to work as a team, echoed Nevin. They are what sets Delaware apart in driving the advancement of health and science innovations to benefit our community, she said.

“Strong partnerships allow us to work together to train the next generation of innovative healthcare leaders,” Nevin said. “A huge advantage we have in Delaware is that students get to engage with leaders throughout the state from the very beginning of their clinical training.”

Nevin shared examples of how Delaware’s oldest and largest health system has successfully embraced innovation and transformation to improve quality, access, patient satisfaction and community engagement by making healthcare what she calls “radically convenient for people to get what they need, when, where and how they want to receive it.”

Innovative Approach to Care Delivery

Highlighting an innovative approach to care delivery known as population health, Nevin said that “the opportunity to remake healthcare is within our grasp.” This commitment to provide the right care, at the right time, at the right place with the right people ultimately makes people healthier and care more affordable, she said.

ChristianaCare already is making great progress in shifting the concept of care from office visits required to be scheduled well in advance to more timely secure texting, virtual visits and at home or “right-sight” of care visits, where care doesn’t take a pause between appointments. The vision is that everything that can be digital will be digital, said Nevin, and all care that can be done in the home or community will be.

Other recently launched innovations introduced by ChristianaCare include using the cloud-based voice service Alexa as a virtual assistant to remind patients to take their medications, exercise and perform other tasks to keep them healthy. They also include a free mobile Pregnancy Care Coach app, which gives moms-to-be instant access to expert health care resources and allows them to monitor their health, track their baby’s growth and prepare for their baby’s arrival; the use of computer models to identify patients at risk for emergency department visits and hospital readmissions; and the availability of virtual reality positive distraction therapy.

Many of the ideas for new apps or technology designed to address today’s healthcare challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities stem from frontline caregivers themselves through ChristianaCare’s biennial Innovation Challenge. The Innovation Challenge is hosted by the health system’s Health & Technology Innovation Center located in the Gateway Building of the health system’s Wilmington Campus. 

ChristianaCare Innovation Leverages Technology

Innovation requires forethought to drive change, but also demands the ability to be nimble and leverage technology to forge deep connections and respond to community needs. This capability has earned ChristianaCare spots four years in a row among America’s “Most Wired” hospitals by the College of Healthcare Information for Management Executives. 

Participants agreed that when it comes to innovation, necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention.

“In these challenging times, people come together to bring out innovative ways to train and deliver care differently,” said Matt. “The silver lining is that innovation brings out the best.”

Moderator: How can our business community step up to help advance healthcare innovation in Delaware?

Panelists: We’re redefining the workforce of the future and must help people to prepare to be part of it. We can’t just put someone in front of a computer and expect them to be proficient in virtual care. We need training programs to prepare students to work in virtual platforms, artificial intelligence and machine learning. We need to think quickly to convert to telehealth by investing in infrastructure. Early-stage companies will be key to helping us with this. Likewise, we have to remember that although we’re experiencing a very real paradigm shift to digital healthcare, not all people are tech-savvy. We can’t let technology drive the innovation. We must focus on functional practicality in line with the comfort level of our end-user. It’s all about mindful design, empathy and a genuine understanding of the user’s needs.

Moderator: How has telehealth changed long-term strategy in terms of innovation?

Panelists:  We’re looking in different ways about when and where patients receive care. We need to rethink the footprint of our existing buildings to offer additional services. It used to be “build it and they will come,” but now we need to be innovative and cater to those we serve. It’s not enough to craft strategies in the boardroom. For innovation to be relevant, we need to talk to our patients and families about what they need.

Moderator:  How must talent respond to innovation needs?

Panelists: Innovation requires — and inspires — talent to change, as well. People are following their passions, exploring options and evaluating challenges to design solutions. Students and current workers alike need to be open to pivoting and taking risks on ways they can bring a unique toolbox to health problems. Interdisciplinary teams are so important. The notion of non-traditional partners is also very important to healthcare innovation, and we need to look at how we are recruiting diverse talent to ensure the delivery of equitable, compassionate care. To be successful in an innovative environment, we all need an element of resiliency. Attitude is everything. Be open-minded. Be adaptable.

Moderator:  How has the pandemic and switch to virtual meetings impacted innovation?

Panelists:  A real positive to the last few months is that we’ve initiated new relationships online out of need. What’s special is that these newfound relationships can and are already progressing to meaningful long-term ones that drive innovation. Our dialogue in response to current events has also adapted in ways that make it easier for people to be willing to share their experiences. Another benefit we’re seeing is that our shift to a virtual environment now makes it more convenient and easier for people to participate in the very research studies that will advance innovation.

Moderator:  Final thoughts?

Panelists: There are so many opportunities for partnership in Delaware and we have tremendous resources in our state in terms of community organizations serving different populations. When we bring folks together early in the process, we see what’s possible – and innovation is the result.

Stay Up To Date With Delaware

9 October 2020  | DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES

WILMINGTON, Del. – In hopes to better prepare Delaware’s workforce for the post-pandemic job market, the state has launched a rapid training program geared to get people ready for a new career path or to sharpen their skills.

Forward Delaware brings together state, education and business leaders to develop a certification program that can be completed within 20 weeks. This initiative focuses on Delaware’s top five growth industries: IT, health care, transportation, logistics and construction.

“We know that our ability to rebound and get Delaware working again will partly rely on our ability to provide training for individuals that need it and meet those jobs in high demand,” Gov. John Carney said in an Oct. 7 press conference announcing the program.

Forward Delaware comes three months after Carney signed an executive order to spend $10 million of federal CARES Act funds to jumpstart retraining programs. The executive order direc

ted the Delaware Department of Labor to work with the Delaware Workforce Development Board to establish approved training and certification programs for unemployed and underemployed Delawareans.

The state lost 74,700 jobs at the height of the pandemic in April, but about 36,000 jobs were added back between May and August. Delaware Labor Secretary Cerron Cade said the state needs to account for the thousands of Delawareans looking for the next step in their careers in an environment that is shifting with each passing day.

“As we all know, some jobs are not going to be there when these individuals come back into the workforce and the economy is going to look totally different than it did when they left,” Cade said. “These programs are meant for individuals who are coming into a new industry, but also opportunities for workers to expand on the new skills they have learned.”

To support Forward Delaware, Delaware Technical Community College was provided $2.4 million from Carney’s executive order. DelTech President Mark Brainard said the community college will offer 11 short-term training programs in the health care sector, including for certified nursing assistants, care technicians, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians and more.

“We will be offering training to over 375 students through all of those different health care programs and those certification programs that will connect to Delaware jobs,” Brainard said.

In addition, DelTech will partner up with vocational schools to offer construction and trade programs as well as logistics and transportation training. Other partnering businesses and organizations include the University of Delaware; The Food Bank of Delaware; Code Differently; Zip Code Wilmington; Tech Elevator; Wilmington University and The Precisionists.

Forward Delaware programs will start on a rolling cycle, and some begin as early as this month while others will start in November and December. All programs are expected to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

Gary Stockbridge, chairman of the Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB), said that Forward Delaware was a beginning, not the end for the state’s labor force. His office and other partners will be developing a longer-term strategy over the course of the next one to two years.

“We recognize that this is going to be a little bit of a haul to really get Delaware back on its feet and back where we were before COVID,” Stockbridge said. “But we are excited about this process and we think it will get Delaware back to work. We can be in a position to be one of the best states to come back from COVID-19 because we have all players around the table.”

For more information in applying to Forward Delaware’s training programs or to be connected to employees using the programs, visit www.forwarddelaware.com.

Kurt Foreman

PRESIDENT & CEO

Stay Up To Date With Delaware