Pennsylvania is opening the door for extra technologists to enter public service, rolling out a brand new fellowship program geared toward bringing STEM expertise into state authorities.
The state’s Office of Administration on Tuesday opened purposes for its 2026 Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship, a yearlong program that locations latest graduates in science, know-how, engineering and math fields inside state companies, to assist remedy authorities challenges like service supply and data-driven decision-making.
Fellows will probably be positioned in considered one of a number of state companies — together with on the Departments of Agriculture, General Services, Human Services, Transportation and others — and work on initiatives that help public sector IT, coverage and innovation.
State officers mentioned in a press launch that the program is a part of a broader push to modernize Pennsylvania’s workforce and strengthen its digital capabilities.
“As government increasingly relies on data, technology, and scientific expertise, it’s critical that we recruit professionals with advanced STEM knowledge,” Neil Weaver, Pennsylvania’s secretary of administration, mentioned in a press launch. “The Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship is bringing fresh perspectives and technical skills that help agencies work smarter and better serve Pennsylvanians.”
The initiative builds on Pennsylvania’s efforts to rent the following era of public servants and wider workforce technique, pushed by the necessity for modernization, cybersecurity and the mixing of synthetic intelligence.
Last 12 months, the Office of Administration reported there had been a 17.5% improve within the variety of Millennial workers and a 180% improve within the variety of Gen Z workers working in Pennsylvania state companies since Gov. Josh Shapiro had taken workplace. The report got here shortly after Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania launched initiatives to streamline hiring processes, so as to recruit displaced federal staff. An government order tasked the company with accepting federal authorities expertise as equal to commonwealth work expertise for civil service roles.