Foreign Language Skills
Author(s): Partnership
Publication Date: 05/01/2006
Publication Topics: Critical Skills and Mission Critical Occupations, Recruiting and Hiring
Publication Type: Issue Briefs
The U.S. government has a shortage of employees with foreign language skills that are critical to the ability to operate effectively in a global environment.
Unfortunately, the shortages of skilled language personnel across these agencies are complicating government efforts in trade, peacekeeping, diplomacy, security and intelligence.
These shortages stem from four major obstacles: limited talent pool, shortage of teachers of critical languages, security clearance requirements and procedures, and training. Priority should also be given to developing a government-wide assessment of needed language skills.
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