TLE Recap Summary - Jobs for Delaware Graduates

On April 14, 2015, Jobs for Delaware Graduates held its first Thought Leader event. Attended by 75 leaders in the
business, philanthropic, and education communities, the event focused on how best to address the disconnected
youth problem facing Delaware. A special thanks to J.P. Morgan Chase for sponsoring this event. Also contributing
to the day’s success, Lynn Miller of Miller Delights, Cafe Gelato, Penn Bistro (William Penn High School), and the
Buena Vista Conference Center.
The event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring Daryl Graham from J.P. Morgan Chase, Patrick Callihan from
TechImpact, Dr. Vickie Gehrt, Superintendent of New Castle County Vocational Schools, and Douglas Drummond,
Business Manager for IBEW Local 313.
The panel focused on issues facing disconnected youth, and the approaches each respective organization is taking
to address the problem. Thematic throughout was that the lack of soft and social skill development either at home or
in schools is a growing impediment and barrier for youth looking to either enter or advance in the workplace. In
addition, lack of parent involvement and knowledge of what employment opportunities exist, along with what changes
in industries, such as how manufacturing has evolved from low skill, to more advanced techniques, remain a hurdle
for youth making the transition from school aged to work aged. This is also reflected in many schools guidance
counselors and teachers lacking a sense of the current job market and the types of jobs available to those with either
a traditional high school degree or GED.
Once the panel concluded, the attendees were provided a set of six questions regarding disconnected youth. Over
the next hour, groups were formed to address each question and report back their answers.
“Before attending this session, what was your view of youth employment?”
As each group reported their answers, it became apparent that the themes alluded to in the panel discussion would
be borne out in each of the round tables. A reiteration that there exists a skills gap between not only soft skills, but
between educators and the business community was reinforced, along with the lack of emphasis on developing these
skills in schools instead focusing on the various standardized testing taking place. Also, the need to start learning
about jobs and career paths before High School was mentioned. During discussion the SPaRC program was
outlined, and its efforts to reach Middle School children to show what areas of study are required to perform a variety
of jobs.
“What is your organization doing to effect change with disconnected youth?”
This question saw many answers focused on how various organizations provide opportunities for youth involvement,
from providing traditional internship/apprenticeships, to Vo-Tech Co-Op programs in IT and Nursing. Other
organizations participate in advisory boards and organizations such as JDG, and still others have resources and
dedicated staff to target youth through outreach in areas such as technology, social media and other youth programs.
“What factors do you think are causing our youth to Disconnect?”
This question enjoyed a large variance in answers, including an emphasis on family life, and the lack of good role
models at home, in addition to youth seeing family members working unpleasant or long hours for low pay, and
seeing those involved in criminal activities making more money, and disregarding the inherent risk involved. Also
discussed was the lack of resources, the lack of low-level employment opportunities because of older workers
remaining in the workforce, a difference in perceived work ethic and an overall lack of responsibility and
accountability. Cross discussion focused on generational issues stemming from Millenials’ approach toward work
and specifically career advancement, with an overall feeling that youth expect high pay and responsibility without
working their way up in an organization. Along with a sense of immediate gratification, a lack of exposure to different
career fields and the path to achieve them remains problematic.
“What jobs should be available for youth employment?”
This question received responses that included just about every career path and industry, from technology, retail,
health care, manufacturing, food service, military, Americorps and others. Starting in minimum wage positions is
seen as a good tool to be taught the soft skills needed in more advanced jobs. Apprenticeship and other on-the-job
training opportunities remain good options for beginning and advancing in a career.
“What could we as a society or we as individuals do to improve youth employment?”
These answers ran the gamut from using tax credits to incentivize employers to hire younger workers to make
changes to aid youth with learning and providing job experience. Education and support programs targeting
disconnected youth were mentioned, in addition to providing earlier exposure to career paths and the exploration of
what skills are required to perform those jobs. The State Department of Labor has a series of career lattices
developed in a number of industries including hundreds of jobs total, but faces the challenge of traditional schools not
allowing DOL to share that information with students, citing no time in the school day to dedicate due to standardized
test preparation.
“Where do we go from here?”
Strong consensus was developed that the business community needs to reach children before high school in order to
help them prepare and decide on a potential career path. In addition, schools should focus on teaching the soft skills
necessary for youth to be successful in obtaining employment. Mentoring programs should be developed so that
children can experience what various careers look and feel like, and an emphasis on having the business community
instruct the education community on the types and availability of jobs currently existing after high school is
paramount.
At the conclusion of the event some attendees completed a questionnaire. In order to continue the
conversation of “Youth Employment” it would be helpful to receive your feedback. Please follow the link
below (control + click) and complete a very brief survey. Again, thank you for joining JDG at our first
“Thought Leadership Event on Youth Employment”
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YhLzzrSauKRnjuVJWxwQBypDE4dpTNjGpmhyBDtm_GE/viewform?u
sp=send_form