LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT Expanding STEM Talent in the Federal Workforce

Summary

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) identified a critical shortage of STEM talent in the U.S. federal workforce, with only 10.2% of the federal STEM workforce under 30 compared to 20.2% in the overall U.S. science and engineering sector, and an average hiring time of 101 days in 2023. To address this, PCAST recommends modernizing recruiting, expanding programs like Pathways, and maximizing existing hiring flexibilities. Recent successes include filling over 200 AI positions by July 2024 and the Department of Energy hiring over 1,000 Clean Energy Corps employees, contributing to the Executive Branch surpassing its goal of 5,800 hires for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by October 2023. Initiatives like the U.S. Digital Corps also demonstrated high retention, with 97% of its 2022 cohort serving a full two-year term, and developed AI tools saving up to 180,000 staff hours annually.

Key Facts

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