HARRISBURG, PA — Facing over 5,600 vacancies in the Commonwealth workforce, Governor Josh Shapiro has unveiled an ambitious plan to streamline hiring and recruit top-tier federal employees to fill critical public service roles. Signed at the Commonwealth Job Fair on March 5, 2025, the groundbreaking Executive Order 2025-01 is a bold step aimed at addressing pressing labor shortages in state government while capitalizing on the expertise of federal personnel amid impending layoffs at the federal level.
Shapiro’s directive allows federal workers’ experience to count as equivalent to Commonwealth knowledge for civil service positions, paving the way for skilled professionals in fields such as engineering, nursing, corrections, and accounting to transition into state roles seamlessly. This move is part of a larger strategy to not only reduce hiring gaps but to modernize Pennsylvania’s workforce and maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.
Bridging Workforce Challenges
Governor Shapiro underscored the urgency behind the initiative during the signing ceremony. “Right now, Pennsylvania still has 540 critical jobs to fill – and we have an opportunity to bring skilled federal workers and veterans into our workforce,” Shapiro declared. His administration’s focus on skills-based hiring has already yielded notable results, reducing hiring times by 32% and positioning Pennsylvania as a desirable employer for highly qualified professionals.
The Executive Order comes as Pennsylvania seeks to resolve modern hiring hurdles, including vacancies that threaten statewide operations. Outdated civil service laws have historically slowed hiring, limiting opportunities for qualified professionals to join the public sector.
To accelerate onboarding, Shapiro announced the launch of a user-friendly website tailored to former federal employees. The site streamlines the hiring process with resources such as job equivalence guides, federal-to-state role translations, and dedicated support for veterans and members of the military. A combination of virtual and in-person job fairs is also poised to attract potential hires in the weeks ahead.
Modernizing Civil Service Hiring
Complementing this executive action, Governor Shapiro threw his weight behind the Civil Service Modernization Act (CSMA), which aims to overhaul the Commonwealth’s labor laws for the first time in 84 years. The legislation, co-sponsored by Representatives Justin Fleming, Dave Madsen, and Senator Patty Kim, eliminates bureaucratic red tape that hampers hiring while maintaining merit-based employment.
The proposed reforms target several pain points. For instance, they shorten the duration for job postings, streamline state employee promotions, and establish pathways for people with disabilities using a hiring model akin to the federal Schedule A program. Pennsylvania will also loosen residency requirements for applicants, making it easier to attract out-of-state talent. The CSMA retains preferences for veterans, ensuring the state continues to prioritize those who have served.
“By cutting through outdated civil service rules, we can hire faster and smarter, bringing the best talent Pennsylvania has to offer into public service,” Representative Fleming remarked. Senator Kim echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the legislation positions Pennsylvania to effectively compete for top-tier talent in today’s dynamic employment landscape.
Supporting a Broader Workforce Initiative
Governor Shapiro’s approach to workforce challenges goes beyond recruitment. Early in his term, he eliminated college degree requirements for 92% of state jobs in a historic move that prioritized hands-on skills and professional experience over formal education. This pivot to a skills-based hiring model has been instrumental in reducing wait times for permits and certifications, addressing citizen needs more effectively.
Since taking office, the administration has filled nearly 600 long-vacant positions in permitting, licensing, and certification sectors, slashing vacancy rates in those areas by 64%. These efforts underscore Shapiro’s mission to ensure that state government moves quickly to meet public demand, a vision further solidified by partnerships with legislators to modernize hiring practices.
Why It Matters
With a record-low unemployment rate of 3.6% and increasing competition for jobs, Pennsylvania finds itself at a crossroads. Workforce shortages threaten the effective delivery of public services, while thousands of federal employees face looming layoffs due to national budgetary constraints. By recruiting former federal workers, many of whom already possess skillsets that match public service needs, Pennsylvania has the unique opportunity to fill critical roles efficiently while offering stability to workers in turbulent times.
“The federal public sector workforce is one of the most professional and qualified in the world,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “By opening the door to these workers, we’re ensuring Pennsylvanians benefit from their expertise, creating a stronger, more effective state government.”
Stories like that of Jonathan Skripka, a former federal employee now leading disaster recovery efforts for PEMA, reinforce the Governor’s vision. Skripka highlighted how his federal experience equipped him to help Pennsylvanians during times of crisis, stating, “Governor Shapiro’s executive order creates a clear pathway for more federal employees to bring their talents to state service, ensuring that Pennsylvania continues to benefit from experienced, dedicated public servants.”
Looking Ahead
Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order and the proposed CSMA reflect a forward-thinking approach to workforce development in Pennsylvania. The synthesis of streamlined hiring practices and targeted recruitment of federal talent positions the Commonwealth to fill critical public service jobs swiftly while setting a precedent for other states facing similar workforce challenges.
The road ahead promises rigorous follow-through on these reforms, but the framework laid out by Shapiro’s administration signals a commitment to building a dynamic, efficient, and modern public sector that is well-equipped to serve Pennsylvania’s 12.8 million residents. If successful, this initiative could define a new standard for workforce innovation in state government for years to come.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.