Rebuilding the Federal Workforce

Government Executive: Government needs to rebuild its workforce. To use Don Kettl’s words, “There’s a huge crisis afoot—and, make no mistake, the merit system is in deep and profound crisis. The historic system for hiring and promoting federal employees is failing the nation, and the consequences are profound.” The point has been made repeatedly—the workforce is aging and “new blood” is needed to address the nation’s increasingly serious problems.

In 2001, when George Bush was inaugurated, 18% of the workforce was age 55 or older. Today 29% are in that age group. Less than 8% are under age 30. Significantly, the average age of employees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and medicine) occupations is somewhat older.

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