Workforce

Building a pipeline of state and local tech workers

States continue to fret about the brain drain from a generation of retirees. But some are thinking hard about how to get the next generation in, whether they be early-career employees or existing ones in need of new skills.

Tech companies partner to help agencies cut through digital evidence backlogs

A new initiative aims to address workforce shortages among law enforcement agencies that impact their ability to efficiently manage digital evidence like body camera footage.

These states have cracked the customer experience code

COMMENTARY | By implementing enterprise customer experience programs, New York and Maryland are improving service, lowering operating costs and building back trust with constituents.

Schools turn to VR to develop a ‘future-ready’ neurodivergent workforce

The tech can help neurodiverse students prepare for entering the workforce amid government programs aimed at fostering more inclusive workplaces, experts say.

How cyber vulnerabilities and workforce cuts threaten the crisis lifeline program

A bipartisan, bicameral measure is hoping to prevent cyber incidents from limiting access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline after a 2022 attack on a system operator disrupted calls to the hotline.

Michigan turns to AI to spruce up its workforce development efforts

The Economic Development Corporation is leveraging artificial intelligence to match job seekers with vacant positions across the state.

Measure to require E-Verify for all Florida businesses moves to House

Existing law requires only employers with 25 employees or more to use the system to vet the legal status of their workforces.

Technology is the enabler for state government’s next chapter

COMMENTARY | With tightening budgets and rising expectations, automation and data-driven insights can help leaders be efficient and expand their digital services.

Cuts to federal health agency raise concerns about state and local impacts

The staff and budget cuts at the federal level will hamper state and local health departments’ capacity to juggle public health needs like disease surveillance and data modernization, experts say.

New research finds schools of education fail to prepare teachers to use AI

Not one superintendent we spoke with considered higher education a resource for artificial intelligence-related professional learning.

Partnership for Public Service launches AI Center for Government

The good-government nonprofit said the center will focus on developing AI leaders, building talent and allowing agencies at all levels of government to share information and best practices.

Idaho lawmakers want Department of Labor to study impacts of mandatory E-Verify law

Opponents hope the study will show the negative effects of cracking down on unauthorized workers.

Wisconsin speeds up licensing amid shift to cloud platform

The state saw a 35% increase in the number of licenses it issued in 2023-2024 compared to any other two-year period.

The push to restore semiconductor manufacturing faces a labor crisis − can the US train enough workers in time?

COMMENTARY | Bringing chip manufacturing back to America is a national security and economic priority, but a shortage of skilled workers threatens to derail the effort.

‘Science experimenting’ in a leading AI state

New York CIO Dru Rai said failing fast doesn’t need to be a bad thing as agencies experiment with new technologies.

New bills would add computer science to Ohio high school graduation requirements

Slightly more than a third (38%) of Ohio’s high schools don’t offer any computer science classes.

Trump’s cuts to federal cybersecurity agency CISA leave election officials worried

The agency partnered with state and local offices and helped combat misinformation. But under Trump, about 130 of its employees have been fired.

Advocates gear up for FirstNet reauthorization push

The dedicated public safety communications network's authority runs out in 2027. Supporters don’t want to see the service interrupted given the good it has done already.

DEI controversy collides with state-level cyber workforce needs

Despite the federal government’s movement away from DEI practices, state agencies can still explore ways to broaden their cyber workforces to fill talent gaps.

California county taps tech to improve labor negotiations

Placer County has moved from spreadsheets to a software tool that helps officials conduct cost negotiations with labor groups more effectively.