Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s 501(c)(3) education affiliate, The Partnership, Inc., announced the addition of Intern Delaware and the Delaware Young Professionals Network under its umbrella.
The organizations represent an effort to stop a “brain drain” that comes from Delaware college graduates taking jobs elsewhere.
The Chamber partnership’s flagship programs are Delaware Principal for a Day and Superstars in Education.
Intern Delaware is dedicated to helping build Delaware’s future workforce by keeping talent in the First State. Established in 2020, Intern Delaware has partnered with over twenty-one companies to coordinate experiences for their summer interns that focus on the benefits of living in Delaware.
Through a series of educational events, interns have access to business and civic leaders while learning about the unique aspects of Delaware’s economy and culture.
“As we continue to expand the Intern Delaware program, the main goal is to ensure a statewide offering to serve businesses throughout the state,” says Scott Malfitano, Intern Delaware founder and board member. “Joining forces with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce will help the program grow to serve more businesses and attract young talent to our state.”
According to Zippia, 71 percent of graduates from Delaware colleges and universities leave the state for their first job. Another study by the Wall Street Journal showed that more than 42 percent of Delaware graduates move to Philadelphia, and over 26 percent move to New York, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C.
“In order for Delaware to remain competitive with its neighboring states, we need to retain our young talent, which ultimately keeps businesses here,” says State Chamber president Mike Quaranta. “It is my hope that State Chamber members, especially hiring and training managers, will see value in this and ultimately join us by playing a key role in developing our state’s talent pipeline.”
Under this new structure of programs – Delaware Principal for a Day, Superstars in Education, Intern Delaware, and the Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) – a workforce readiness pathway is created for today’s students to become better equipped to be Delaware’s workforce of tomorrow.
“We see a sequential progression of development and training that helps prepare new entrants to the workforce. It starts by connecting our members to schools to clarify workforce needs and skills challenges through Delaware Principal for a Day. We then recognize high schools, training programs, college and university classes that are innovative and targeted to employer needs through our Superstars in Education awards program,” said Quaranta. “For those who go on to college and participate in an internship program, Intern Delaware is a way to connect interns from all participating employers and help build a talent pipeline of young, bright professionals for Delaware employers. New hires can then join the DYPN and grow their professional network, gain leadership skills, and further embed into a life here in Delaware.”
Thanks to the programs, a new, full-time staff position will be created. Click here to download the job description. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to dscc@dscc.com.
