On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, educators, employers, and workforce development professionals gathered at Bally's Dover Casino Resort for the annual Delaware Pathways Summit. Hosted by The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce's The Partnership, Inc., this event continues to be a vital link between education and opportunity in Delaware, demonstrating that the First State is leading the nation with its approach to career and technical education.
The summit featured a compelling lineup of keynote speakers who highlighted the critical role of aligning education with workforce development.
Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Martin and Delaware Secretary of Labor LaKresha Moultrie, Esq., highlighted the state's commitment to creating seamless pathways between education and employment, and Kyle Hartung, Associate Vice President of Jobs for the Future, brought a national perspective on workforce development.
Delaware Governor Matthew Meyer also took the stage at the Summit, emphasizing that career pathways are not just a priority, but a key part of the state’s approach to both economic growth and student success.
One of the most powerful moments came from former Delaware Pathways student Lani Carrera, who shared a moving story about how the program changed her life. Her experience offered a real, personal example of how career pathways can open doors and shape brighter futures.
Delaware Pathways is setting the standard nationwide with its well-rounded approach to career and technical education. It connects what students learn in the classroom with real-world experience, helping them build the skills they need, both technical and professional, for in-demand careers.
What sets Delaware Pathways apart is its holistic approach. High-quality career pathways connect students directly with Delaware employers and community partners, providing opportunities for hands-on learning, in-demand skills development, career exploration, and valuable industry connections. This isn't just about preparing students for jobs, it's about empowering learners to gain real-world skills for success in both college and careers they are passionate about.
The summit brought together diverse stakeholders in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education, Department of Labor, Rodel, United Way of Delaware, Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware Workforce Development Board, the Office of Work-based Learning, and Delaware SHRM.
This partnership model is what positions Delaware as a national leader in career and technical education. The state has created an ecosystem where educational institutions, employers, and community organizations work together toward shared goals of student success and economic development.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in two of ten comprehensive breakout sessions designed to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in career pathway development. These sessions covered topics including innovation through collaboration in learning-based work, addressing the misalignment between industry credentials and academic offerings, and empowering early career exploration for middle and high school students.
Other sessions focused on expanding apprenticeships beyond traditional trades, examining how career pathway choices impact student success, and developing internal champions for workforce development within organizations. Participants also explored strategies for preparing students for future careers by connecting education to in-demand job opportunities, engaging employers in pathway workshops, and leveraging student voice through impact stories.
The Superstars in Education & Training Awards ceremony honored four outstanding programs that exemplify innovation and impact in workforce development across different educational sectors.
MOT Charter High School's Career and College Ready Capstone Program took top honors in the high school category. This innovative program immerses students in real-world STEM experiences within a simulated company structure, where students assume leadership roles and collaborate on engineering and technology projects aligned with their career interests.
The Pathways to Success program earned recognition as the outstanding Independent Training and Certificate Provider. Over its 19-year history, this transformative program has served 400 students and impacted over 3,000 lives by empowering underserved students across Delaware. The program places dedicated coordinators in multiple high schools statewide, offering daily support, one-on-one mentoring, after-school sessions, and career readiness training specifically designed to help students break cycles of poverty and achieve sustainable success.
Delaware Technical Community College's Commercial Driver's License Program received the Higher Education Program award for its comprehensive approach to preparing students for trucking industry careers. The 240-hour program combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training, giving students experience operating diesel-powered tractor-trailers on both private ranges and public roads.
Davis & Sons earned the Corporate Training Program award for their Welding Training Program, which has provided voluntary, in-house training twice weekly for over 26 years. Led by AWS-certified instructors, this program enables employees to practice different welding techniques, earn new certifications, and qualify for higher wages based on their enhanced skills. This long-term commitment to employee development demonstrates how businesses can invest in their workforce while building the skilled talent pipeline Delaware needs.
The prestigious John H. Taylor Jr. Education Leadership Award was presented to Valerie A. Woodruff, recognizing her dedicated career advancing education throughout Delaware. Her journey from classroom teacher to Principal at Middletown High School to serving as Delaware's Secretary of Education exemplifies the transformative impact of committed educational leadership and the importance of understanding education from multiple perspectives.
Beyond the structured agenda, the summit served as an invaluable networking opportunity for business leaders, educators, and workforce development professionals. The cross-sector connections formed during the event create the foundation for future partnerships that benefit both students and employers.
The 2025 summit reinforced Delaware's position as a national leader in innovative workforce development approaches. The success of Delaware Pathways demonstrates that when education and industry work together with clear communication, shared goals, and mutual respect, the results benefit everyone involved. Students gain access to relevant, engaging educational experiences that prepare them for successful careers.
Whether you're a business leader looking to engage with Delaware's emerging talent or an educator seeking to expand career pathway opportunities for your students, Delaware Pathways offers meaningful ways to get involved. The program continues to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce readiness, creating opportunities for students to develop academic, technical, and employability skills through authentic work experiences. Click here to learn more.
Be sure to join us at next year's summit!
