JPMorgan Chase announced investments in four organizations, Delaware State University, Code Differently, L.E.E.P. Inc., and Zip Code Wilmington totaling more than $1.7 million to support workforce development in Wilmington.
- Delaware State University will receive $709,000 over three years to develop a new part-time, evening associate degree program in Early Childhood Education with a business development focus. This program will improve career access and advancement and economic mobility for uncredentialed childcare workers who are currently unable to access full-time educational opportunities.
- Code Differently will receive $500,000 over two years in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority to launch IT careers for opportunity youth from underserved communities. Code Differently has trained over 200 Delaware adults for technology careers in the local market over the past two years with Black adults making up over 70 percent of their participants.
- L.E.E.P Inc. (L.E.E.P) will receive $410,000 over two years to support the expansion of L.E.E.P’s Pathway to Apprenticeship (P2A) program – the only DE Department of Labor certified construction pre-apprenticeship program designed specifically for unions that leads to direct entry into union construction trades. This grant will enhance the capacity of the P2A program to increase participation by 50% and provide increased program support to opportunity youth, and individuals with involvement in the criminal justice system. L.E.E.P. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018.
- Zip Code Wilmington will receive $160,000 over two years to pilot a Zip Code Prep Program to address inequities within STEM education and the tech sector and create a bridge for more Black and Latino candidates to apply for and be accepted into Zip Code’s full-time 12-week training program.
“As one of Delaware’s largest employers, we are incredibly focused on creating a more equitable and inclusive economy for more residents across the region,” said Tom Horn, Delaware Market Leader, JPMorgan Chase. “Building a skilled workforce and ensuring that all people, regardless of background, have access to the support they need is critical to these efforts. Together with these community partners, we can help unlock opportunity for more Delaware residents to access meaningful jobs and lasting economic growth.”
Accordng to a release, the cost of postsecondary education, lack of work-based learning opportunities and limited career mentoring has created roadblocks to financial independence and economic inequalities for young adults. The absence of support in education reflects the job and housing markets. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, young workers and those of underserved communities who do not have a good job by their mid-30s are more likely to face financial challenges in comparison to prior generations. [i
JPMorgan Chase has also lowered barriers for those seeking employment. There was a time when nearly any involvement in the criminal justice system at financial institutions barred job applicants or was grounds for firing.]
