Delaware has long been hailed as a corporate haven so it should come as no surprise that Delaware employment opportunities have always been abundant. After all, over 50% of the publicly traded corporations in the United States call Delaware their home and 60% of country’s finest Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in the state.
Delaware unemployment
Delaware unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 3.2% to a rate of 8.7%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Delaware Employment Opportunities
The state’s economy has consistently outperformed the national economy thanks to a heritage with a rich history in farming and the Delaware General Corporation Law – a governing statute which gives the management of corporations some leniency in the operation and overall power and control of their corporation. This law has basically encouraged corporations – ranging from chemical and pharmaceutical companies, auto manufacturers, and banks – to incorporate in the state and provide residents with ample Delaware employment.
There are some big time employers in the state, which basically gives Delaware employment hunters their pick of the sector or industry they wish to steer their career aspirations towards. As of July 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Delaware has an unemployed rate of 8.2%.
Regrettably, the auto, banking, construction and government sectors have been hit especially hard in this tough economical climate and have caused Delaware’s employment numbers to plummet in 2009. The state is experiencing its highest rate of unemployment since April of 1977 with 8.1% of the labor force without work. While this number is still well below the national unemployment rate of 9.4%, this news remains troubling and disappointing given how strong and consistent Delaware employment figures have been in healthier economic times.
But that right there is what truly separates Delaware from the rest of the country. This is one state that will most likely pick itself back up from the knock down punch thrown by this economic recession, dust itself off, and come back swinging. There are sectors and industries in Delaware that will remain viable for years to come. Delaware’s job market is diverse with all kinds of interesting opportunities available to job seekers. There is little doubt that Delaware employment numbers will be booming again once the economy picks up. With so many people refinancing their homes right now, many banks and financial service companies in the area are hiring again after months of layoffs and job cuts.
Here is a breakdown of Delaware employment by sector according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics:
Mining, Logging, and Construction: 22,000
Manufacturing: 27,600
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: 77,100
Information: 7,100
Financial Activities: 44,500
Professional & Business Services: 53,700
Education & Health Services: 61,700
Leisure & Hospitality: 39,700
Government: 61,700
Other Services: 20,300
Government and Education services continue to offer plenty in the way of Delaware employment. Many people within the state are employed by either the U.S. government, the state of Delaware or New Castle County.
Two miles south of the city of Dover is the Dover Air Force Base. This base is one of the biggest air force bases in the United States and is a major contributor to Delaware employment. The base acts as an entry point and mortuary for the brave men and women of the U.S. military when they are killed overseas while serving our country.
The University of Delaware is the state’s largest university with a main campus located in Newark, and satellite campuses in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown and Lewes. The school, dating back to 1743, is considered one of the oldest schools in the United States. Anyone seeking Delaware employment opportunities in the areas of science, engineering, education, business, public policy, urban affairs, public administration, agriculture, chemical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry should enroll in programs at this university – or teach the programs if you’re qualified to do so.
The latter three, chemical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, are especially important to anyone that wants to graduate with a degree in these fields and quickly find lucrative Delaware employment. So many of the country’s top chemical and pharmaceutical companies have a presence in the state of Delaware and are regularly hiring.
Wilmington, Delaware houses the corporate headquarters of the chemical company DuPont. Syngenta, a maker of seeds, flowers and chemical pesticides, also houses their U.S. headquarters in Wilmington. Additionally, AstraZeneca, one of the leading health care and pharmaceutical companies in the world, is headquartered in Wilmington. Wilmington is an obvious hot bed of Delaware employment.
Banking is big business in Delaware with Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, AIG, Wilmington Trust, First USA/Bank One, Deutsche Bank and Barclays PLC providing Delaware employment to anyone interested in a career in financial services.
Other companies providing plenty of Delaware employment opportunities are automakers Chrysler and General Motors, along with agricultural and farming contributors like poultry/chicken producer Perdue Farms.
Delaware Employment Resources
www.delawareworks.com , a.k.a. VCNet (Virtual Career Network) is a one-stop service that connects local employers and job seekers to one another. Workforce development training, via state-of-the-art information systems technology and telecommunications, is available to those that need assistance finding Delaware employment.
There are other temporary staffing agencies and job placement companies that can assist you in finding Delaware employment. AbleBody.com, staffmark.com, adeccousa.com, ablepeo.com, besttemporaries.com, bbsihq.com, ahedd.org, and laborready.com can each assist you in your search for Delaware employment.
Delaware Living Conditions
Delaware is a region that celebrates its history and heritage while also moving forward. There is no shortage of museums, monuments, attractions and fairs that make Delaware a great place for young and old alike to enjoy. While in Delaware, you’re constantly mindful of our great country’s humble beginnings and the progress that has been made through generations. Historical buffs would undoubtedly love to live and work in Delaware.
Delaware is known to experience summer months that are relatively humid and hot. The state tends to lean liberal, favoring the Democratic Party, in political stance. Methodists and Baptists make up the highest portion of the state’s religious profile.
Delaware Employment
Delaware employment, like everywhere else in the country, has hit the skids somewhat during this economic recession. However, it’s pretty clear that the infrastructure is in place for companies and corporations to continue conducting business in the state. These companies will in all likelihood remain in the state and be there when the economy improves. At that point, there will be a mad hiring rush and Delaware employment opportunities are expected to be just as strong as they were a few years ago.
