DE on the Verge of a Blue Collar Resurgence

A career in construction is again a viable option for many Delawareans. Thanks to Governor John Carney’s Construction Career Expo and several key state initiatives, we have the opportunity to see a resurgence in skilled trades job opportunities.

It’s important, and long overdue, to be able to say a career in construction can be an option for Delawareans. We remember fondly how Delaware communities like Newark, Claymont, Seaford, and Wilmington thrived with well-paying blue-collar job households.

These jobs offered families stability by offering individuals – most, if not all, without college degrees – middle-class wages, health insurance and a pension.  Plus, these jobs provided an extra benefit: Wages stayed in the local community when families shopped locally, ate at local restaurants, and supported local businesses.

Finally, it is impossible to overstate how these jobs offered a path to a career and an opportunity to a middle class lifestyle for several generations of families.

For a long time, talking about seeing a resurgence of sustained skilled trades and construction jobs was just talk. Today, blue collar job opportunities are on the verge of returning to Delaware.

In the near future, we expect a growing demand in Delaware for skilled tradespeople in construction, industrial and commercial maintenance, and manufacturing.  Again, this is due in large part to promotional efforts spearheaded by the Governor and two key initiatives approved by the General Assembly:  approving the Port of Wilmington agreement with Gulftainer and modernizing the Coastal Zone Act…

Read the rest of Local 199 Business Manager James Maravelias’ op-ed at Delaware Online.