Six institutions in Delaware have been recognized by the Delaware State Chamber as 2024 Superstars in Education & Training winners.
Since 1989, the awards program has recognized educational programs for innovative and impactful programming.
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, The Partnership, Inc., stated that all of this year’s winners exemplify creativity and efficacy in workforce development initiatives.
An award is given to one independent training and certificate provider, a higher education program, and a Delaware high school. Awards of Excellence are also granted to deserving programs.
Here are this year’s winners as well as the programs or initiatives that the chamber highlighted:
Delaware Skills Center
The Delaware Skills Center’s Electrical Training Program, the most popular of their many skilled trade offerings, caters to a limited enrollment of 30 individuals per year.
A 12-week program emphasizes hands-on experience and technical skills essential for entry-level positions in the electrical field.
Utilizing the National Center for Construction Education Research and Development’s curriculum approved for Delaware’s Apprenticeship Program, participants gain proficiency in electrical systems, wiring, and installations, as well as important interpersonal skills.
The Electrical Training Program not only bridges the gap between unemployed and underemployed individuals and industry shortages, but also equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to seamlessly transition into in-demand electrical careers.
Charlton Roads to Success at Delaware State University Downtown Campus
The Charlton Roads to Success Program at Delaware State University’s Downtown Campus is dedicated to equipping adult-aged students – ages 18 to 22 – with the skills essential for successful integration into the community as they transition into adulthood.
Students gain tailored, hands-on experience through skills assessments, workplace exposure, job coaching and mentoring.
They also participate in activities such as monthly YMCA activities, annual play productions, inclusivity events, and a student-run card company.
By nurturing vocational skills, fostering independence, and creating a sense of belonging, this program equips young adults with valuable skills while also fostering a sense of inclusion and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
The Empathetic Engineering: Bridging Innovation for Special Needs program transforms lives through student designed solutions.
This Level 3 Design and Engineering program, offered in all three Brandywine School District high schools, focuses on Human-Centered Design to empower students to create inclusive solutions for individuals with special needs.
From assistive devices for physical education to innovative workplace tools, students develop empathy and an understanding of diverse needs while also gaining valuable design and engineering skills.
Their creations enhance accessibility and directly improve their clients’ lives, fostering a sense of purpose and social responsibility in the students and the wider community.
Award of Excellence Recipients
- M. Davis & Sons Welding Training Program
- Beebe Healthcare, Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing
- William Penn High School, Healthcare Technician Program
All winners will be recognized during an awards ceremony at the newly reimagined Navigating Delaware Pathways: An Education and Workforce Development Summit at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus in Dover on April 16.
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Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
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