In a strategic pivot from last year’s workforce cuts, the Trump administration is rolling out a new initiative aimed at attracting Gen Z professionals to federal jobs, with a focus on rebuilding a shrinking early-career talent pool. According to a report by Fox News, officials say the move is designed to “make government cool again” and better compete with private sector opportunities.
Only 7% federal workforce under 30, officials flag concern
The push comes amid concerns over the ageing federal workforce. Just 7% of federal employees are under the age of 30, significantly lower than the roughly 22% seen in the broader non-government workforce.Officials warned that this gap could pose long-term risks to institutional continuity and operational readiness. “By a factor of 3:1, the federal government is massively under-indexed on early career talent,” an official told Fox News Digital.
Shift from layoffs to hiring after DOGE cuts
The hiring drive marks a notable shift from last year, when the Department of Government Efficiency spearheaded large-scale workforce reductions. Over 75,000 federal employees opted for deferred resignation, alongside more than 280,000 layoffs across federal roles and contractor positions.Administration officials defended the earlier cuts as necessary to eliminate inefficiencies, adding that younger workers were largely unaffected. The current effort, they say, is focused on rebuilding capacity with skilled early-career hires.
New ‘Early Career Talent Network’ to drive recruitment
At the centre of the initiative is a new platform launched by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in collaboration with the White House. The “Early Career Talent Network” aims to connect young professionals with full-time federal roles across agencies.Recruitment will initially focus on five high-demand sectors:
- Finance
- Human resources
- Engineering
- Project management
- Procurement
Officials emphasised that hiring will prioritise demonstrated skills over traditional credentials such as college background or years of experience.
‘Make government cool again’: Outreach to campuses planned
OPM Director Scott Kupor said the initiative is about building a sustainable talent pipeline while making public service more accessible and appealing to younger generations.“He wants to get the word out that early-career professionals can work on meaningful, high-impact projects and gain skills valuable across both public and private sectors,” an official told Fox News Digital.As part of the outreach, officials plan to visit college and university campuses later this year to boost awareness and recruitment.
