The Future of Federal Work

The future of work is upon us. That means changes in the way we spend our time, the technologies we use, and what roles we occupy in the workplace. Automation, AI, and smart technologies mean tomorrow’s workers will be more productive than ever, but those same technologies pose growing pains for industries of all kinds. 

Government agencies and entities, in particular, will face challenges in recruitment and talent acquisition as the nature of work changes in the coming decades. In the latest installment of our Future of Work series, we explore what changes are on the horizon for careers in the government and what today’s learners can do to thrive in tomorrow’s government jobs. 

Changes in Employment Policies at the Federal Level

According to government watchdog group GAO, many federal employment policies were “designed generations ago for a workforce and type of work that largely no longer exists.” Specifically, these policies were built for a workforce that largely stayed at the same agency for years or decades at a time, completed their work in-person in an office setting, and generally did the same type of work over their careers. 

Now, the very nature of work is changing rapidly. 

Today’s workers, especially millennials, are switching jobs — and sometimes entire careers — at roughly double the rate of their Boomer or Gen X parents. The new normal? Four job changes in the first decade out of college. 

Millennials, now the largest demographic in the workplace, and Gen Z workers are also driving cultural and structural changes within workplaces of all kinds. Many industries now offer flexible core hours for in-office work, remote work, cultural benefits like happy hours, and robust healthcare packages that include access to mental health care, wellness services, and more. 

Government agencies are taking notice. According to Deloitte, forward-thinking agencies are reevaluating the nature of the work their employees do and making changes to adapt to the evolving workforce. For example, many agencies are experimenting with allowing employees to work remotely and incorporating machines and AI technologies to automate repetitive tasks. 

Where Government is Falling Short

According to Deloitte, the biggest difference between the public and private sector is in the government’s lack of talent management and nurturing. Today’s employees desire meaningful work that offers room for growth, and so far, government jobs haven’t made as much progress in talent management as in the private sector. 

Government agencies also, generally, seek to reduce operating costs and therefore their overall financial burden. However, many agencies cut costs in the workplace environment and in other key areas that impact employee happiness and satisfaction. Now, though, government agencies are beginning to explore how much of a financial burden would be lifted if labor-intensive tasks, like data entry, could be automated. 

Government also faces challenges in upskilling or continuously training workers. Research done by Deloitte demonstrates that workers who are engaged in learning on the job are 47% less likely to report being stressed — and the better the workplace environment, the happier the employee. 

Types of Government Jobs That Will Grow

Software engineers, developers, and more will be required in higher numbers as the workplace shifts. Cybersecurity jobs will also see increases. Jobs that require unpredictable problem-solving and a human touch, like responding to national security threats, maintaining and nurturing diplomatic international relationships, leading community improvements, and even food inspection will also see growth. However, the jobs listed will also require workers to increase their use of technology and AI in order to increase productivity and job quality. 

A last word from Deloitte on the future of work in government: 

“The multiplier effect of collaboration — both the human-machine or the human-human variety—can produce unprecedented benefits, allowing government to better deliver on its mission. Ultimately, a reimagined future of work should produce a brighter future for those who work on behalf of government as well as those who are served by it.”