In this episode, I’m joined by two of Delaware’s workforce and CTE leaders — 𝐉𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐛, Statewide Coordinator of Delaware’s new Office of Workforce Development, and 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐭, Director of Career & Technical Education at the Delaware Department of Education.

Together, they co-chair Delaware Pathways, a statewide strategy designed to ensure every learner has a clear, supported route to career and life success. Delaware Pathways has scaled fast — reaching 68% of Delaware high school students and 84% of middle school students — and the state is aiming even higher over the next few years.

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟑 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
- 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐲: Jon shares that the biggest driver of growth has been a simple, shared vision — with clear measures of success — and leadership that keeps partners aligned. Quality and trust come before speed.
- 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞: A major next step is building a true advising pipeline beginning in middle school. Navigators will help students explore careers early, “toe-dip” into pathways, and switch within clusters without starting over — all to ensure a smooth transition into high school and beyond.
- 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 — 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩: Joanna explains why Pathways goes far beyond K-12. Delaware is pushing to grow immersive work-based learning from 15% to 45%, and expand registered apprenticeships from ~2,000 students to ~3,000, backed by stronger cross-agency coordination and new data systems.

We close with a powerful north star: not just helping students make a plan, but ensuring they “land successfully on day one” after graduation — in college, training, or a career with real economic mobility. 

Links mentioned for show notes:
- Delaware Student Success Website

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