From Gaps to Growth: Using Technology to Address Unemployment and Underemployment

Kind of like a curious kid, we love asking why. Why are there only 63 available workers for every 100 open jobs in Delaware? There’s a shortage of skilled workers. Why’s that? Because there’s an education gap in the state. Well, why?  

There are numerous ways to answer that question. Conversations on this topic are ongoing, and as a workforce program provider ourselves, Tech Impact understands the complexities firsthand. However, one challenge consistently stands out: finding a training program that fits within someone’s life is often a frustrating and time-consuming process.

That’s right. Just knowing your options is a challenge in itself. To be clear, we do not seek to minimize the many other factors contributing to the persistence of the skills gap, unemployment, and underemployment, such as the impacts of systemic and structural inequity, wages that fail to keep pace with the cost of living, and insufficient investment in adult education, among many others.

What we can do now is listen to our communities, which is something we consistently prioritize at Tech Impact. If they are telling us that finding and navigating training programs is a challenge, then it is our responsibility to reduce those barriers and ensure people have clear access to their options.

To address this need directly, we’ve officially launched Career Moves, which soft-launched in October 2024 as the Delaware Career Mobility App. We’ve been working diligently with our partners at The Delaware Workforce Development Board to provide this new tool.  The development of the app was funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant to the state of Delaware to respond to the employment challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Its use and impact will extend well beyond the initial intention.

Career Moves is free to use and serves all Delaware job seekers, offering a gateway to career exploration and growth, whether they are currently unemployed, underemployed, or simply seeking new opportunities. Anyone seeking work and training in Delaware can find options that align with their goals, from trade school and certificates to degree programs.

With Career Moves, we are taking decisive action to address the skills gap and are driven by a sense of urgency. The education and skills gaps extend beyond Delaware; they are a growing national concern with profound economic and social consequences.

Skill gaps are the result of policies, systems, and structures that have been built over time and sometimes in their own silos—and that means they can be rebuilt in a way that works better for people. We can make it easier for people to find a range of career advancement opportunities, and along the way, we can provide data to help shape the future of workforce development.  

We’ll have insights into what job seekers are looking for, what programs they’re engaging with, and where gaps in training still exist. Are certain industries seeing more interest but not enough program capacity? Are there barriers—like cost or schedule conflicts—that prevent people from enrolling?

This kind of workforce data is invaluable. It will allow policymakers, workforce boards, and training providers to make better, more informed decisions about where to invest resources, how to expand access, and what programming is needed to close skill gaps faster.

Technology alone won’t solve unemployment or underemployment, but it can reduce barriers. It can create a more equitable, efficient, and empowering way for individuals to find the right path forward.  

Career Moves will continue to evolve, shaped by the people who use it. And the more organizations, businesses, and workforce leaders who step up to invest in accessible, data-driven solutions, the faster we’ll close the gaps and create real economic mobility.

Join us in asking “why” and help drive meaningful change. What are your thoughts about how we can use technology to address the skills gap and create workforce-ready communities? Get in touch to talk about partnerships and other ways we can work together.