Fed Figures: COVID-19 and the Federal Workforce The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a once-in-a-generation challenge for the federal government and its 2 million employees, creating urgent new missions and fundamentally altering how government engages the public. This analysis sheds light on the key characteristics of our nation’s federal civilian workforce in this period, many of whom are on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus. Read more
How one public-private partnership is closing the cybersecurity talent gap The Partnership for Public Service recently launched the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative to address an emerging crisis in our country: the shortage of well-trained cybersecurity professionals. The initiative is a first-of-its kind public-private partnership designed to reduce this talent gap. Read more
Celebrating the work of civil servants who safeguard our nation It often takes a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic for us to remember how important federal employees are to our daily lives. Our nation’s civil servants defend our shores, protect our computer networks and secure our financial institutions. They safeguard travelers and our vast transportation systems. Read more
13 key ways for federal agencies to innovate Aliquam elementum rhoncus enim, vel convallis neque molestie ac. Sed dignissim egestas diam, quis varius mi placerat non. Suspendisse commodo interdum ultrices. Read more
Innovation is essential – why is it so difficult to spread what works? Many federal employees, like the outstanding civil servants recognized by our annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, are finding new and creative ways to accomplish the mission of their agencies. Read more
A different way of thinking about the size of government In the public debate about the “proper” size of government, the discussion often overlooks the fact that the number of federal employees relative to the size of the U.S. population has been shrinking. Even as the number and complexity of services provided by government has increased over the years, the amount of federal civilian employees has stayed relatively stable. In absolute terms, today’s workforce of about 2 million people is smaller than the workforce that served at the height of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Read more
