The new workforce development project,
sponsored by JPMorganChase, promotes equal access to career
opportunities for overlooked communities.
WASHINGTON and WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Responsible Business
Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) and JPMorganChase announce the launch
of the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative (DE EHI), an innovative
multi-year pilot project to help strengthen Wilmington's workforce by empowering local
employers to tap into overlooked talent from the city's underserved
communities.
"Delaware is home to a vast,
untapped talent pool of 'hidden workers' — individuals too often
overlooked by traditional hiring practices. This phenomenon not
only deprives businesses of valuable talent, but limits the
economic potential of entire communities," said Maha Jweied,
CEO of RBIJ. "RBIJ is thrilled to oversee this project and work
alongside leaders in the Wilmington community to help employers
revitalize their talent pipelines, embrace these deserving
candidates, and ensure everyone has a fair chance at financial
freedom."
Across Delaware, businesses are
grappling with persistent labor shortages, with only 63 available
workers for every 100 open jobs. Despite these challenges, many
employers continue to rely on automated screening processes that
inadvertently uphold hiring biases or exclude candidates without
traditional qualifications. This approach both stifles businesses'
ability to recruit quality talent and creates unnecessary barriers
to employment for Wilmington
residents, hindering the city's collective prosperity.
The DE EHI project is designed to help employers address these
shortcomings by unlocking the enormous potential of Wilmington's "hidden workers," a diverse group
that includes caregivers, veterans, immigrants, individuals that
have been justice-impacted, and more. RBIJ has been tapped to
develop the infrastructure for DE EHI with the goal of building the
capacity of local partners within the Delaware workforce ecosystem to lead the
effort and scale it across the state.
By joining forces with businesses and community-based
organizations, RBIJ will equip participating employers with hiring
processes that more effectively open doors for candidates of
diverse backgrounds and experiences. Employers will receive
personalized technical assistance, connections to industry experts
and workforce resources, and opportunities for peer-to-peer
learning. The project sets out to build a network of
businesses committed to equitable hiring and sustaining long-term
career opportunities, particularly in ZIP codes 19801, 19802, and
19805.
"JPMorganChase is proud to support the Delaware Equitable
Hiring Initiative, a project that strengthens our portfolio of
systems-change investments to advance inclusivity and opportunity
in the workplace," said Tom
Horne, Delaware Market Leader for JPMorganChase. "As an
employer that actively prioritizes inclusive hiring, we know how
targeted resources can transform lives and business
success."
The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC), a division of the
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), and the Delaware
Department of Human Resources (DHR) recently joined the project as
the first partner employers, highlighting the far-reaching
potential to impact Wilmington
families for the better. "DTC is excited to participate in a
project that expands fair access to promising job opportunities
in transit and other industries across Wilmington. We celebrate and believe
that each member of our community can contribute to our shared
success," said John Sisson,
CEO of DTC.
"As a partner in the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative,
DHR renews our commitment to expanding state job opportunities for
Wilmington residents. The
State of Delaware offers
competitive salaries, superior healthcare and pension benefits,
alternative work schedules, and highly diversified, welcoming
working environments. This initiative allows state agencies with
jobs in our state's largest city to break down barriers to
employment and open doors for overlooked talent," said
Claire DeMatteis, Secretary of
Delaware Department of Human Resources.
RBIJ welcomes Wilmington
business leaders to join the initiative and explore exactly how
inclusive hiring elevates their workforce and the well-being of
their communities. Through collective action, tailored resources,
and leading by example, overlooked talent can access a fair chance
to join the workforce and help boost the city's economy.
About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice.
The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) is an
award-winning international nonprofit that works with companies to
champion solutions that promote public safety, deliver justice, and
strengthen communities. RBIJ has supported legislative campaigns in
half of U.S. states and the U.K., across nearly a dozen policy
areas. Our inclusive hiring efforts include the award-winning first
chance hiring program, Unlock Potential, and second chance hiring
programming now operating in six states. www.rbij.org
About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a
leading financial services firm based in the United States of America ("U.S."), with
operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $4.1 trillion in assets and $341 billion in stockholders' equity as of
June 30, 2024. The Firm is a leader
in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small
businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing
and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the
Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the
world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government
clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is
available at www.jpmorganchase.com
Learn more about the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative and
get involved today: rbij.org/delaware-ehi
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SOURCE The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice