Chris Burkhard, President of Placers Staffing, joined WDEL’s Peter MacArthur on May 1st to discuss Delaware’s job market and share insights on workforce trends for businesses and job seekers in 2025.
Delaware maintains a steady 3.7% unemployment rate, with healthcare, education, and government sectors driving local job growth. However, advertised job openings nationwide have decreased by about one million compared to last year, and the April ADP report came in significantly under expectations, signaling potential market shifts.
“Uncertainty requires flexibility. We’re seeing organizations return to pre-pandemic workforce planning with greater emphasis on contingent labor and outsourcing. Eventually, I believe 50% of the workforce will operate in contingent, outsourced, or ‘Uberized’ capacities.” – Chris Burkhard
Key takeaway: For job seekers, especially recent graduates facing a competitive market, thorough interview preparation is critical—including preparing thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest. For businesses, building flexibility into workforce planning will be essential as economic conditions continue to evolve.