People

VA's tech training program for vets is up for renewal, but backers want more accountability

A provision in a recently introduced legislative package would extend VA’s VET-TEC training program through September 2026 while seeking to address employment disparities.

People

Bipartisan bill seeks to expand workers’ access to digital skills training programs

House and Senate lawmakers are seeking to modify current law to create a “digital skills at work grant program” for those accessing government-funded career services.

Digital Government

Lawmakers to include VET-TEC renewal under broader veteran bill, per committee spokesperson

VA’s five-year tech training pilot expired April 1 after Congress failed to pass legislation to renew the program.

Artificial Intelligence

Examining some places where AI has already been deployed within the military

There are a few areas where these efforts, even if they are far from the frontlines, are starting to prove their value.

Defense

DOD launches platform to educate workforce on AI basics

The new program will provide DOD’s civilian and military personnel with access to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology service that consists of “bite-sized learning assets” on AI tools and other technologies.

People

VA's tech training program will soon expire — lawmakers hope to save it by year's end

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he is working with lawmakers to reauthorize VA’s VET-TEC pilot before the end of the year.

Ideas

How better data can support military training and performance

COMMENTARY | Wearable computers along with AR and VR capabilities can generate data to customize military training to enhance performance and improve the mental and physical health of trainees throughout their service and the rest of their lives.

Cybersecurity

DISA leans on training collaboration, academic partnerships to build future workforce

The Defense Department's IT agency says "collaborative environment" at U.S. Cyber Command's Dreamport has been key for tech workforce development.

Cybersecurity

Why self-sufficiency is key to fostering data literacy in the Air Force

The Air Force wants to improve data literacy and culture, so it's creating a cadre of "citizen analysts" and communities of interest to build and then spread their knowledge.

People

NDAA requires DOD to report on prospects for a ‘cyber academy’

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) says these reports could inform potential legislation to establish an academy to educate cyber workers for government modeled after military service academies.

People

Top House Republican pushes back on government telework

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.

People

Connolly presses for legislation on telework, internships and OPM

A new bill on federal internships would require interns be paid and create a central online source of information on federal internships, among other measures.

People

What agency tech leaders think about a U.S. Digital Service Academy

Agency tech leaders sounded off to the Government Accountability Office about the prospect of launching a digital service training school modeled on the military service academies to bring more tech talent into government.

People

Training the diplomats of the future

The pandemic pushed much of the department's training online and the Foreign Service Institute is looking to adapt some of the lessons of virtual education for the future.

Acquisition

Morale plunges at site of VA's new electronic health record

A survey conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs found plummeting morale at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center arising from the adoption of a new electronic health record system.

People

Blinken announces new cyber bureau at State

The secretary of State named cybersecurity and emerging tech as critical areas for capacity building at State, alongside climate, global health and multilateral technology.

Cybersecurity

How training fits into cyber workforce development

In a tight market for cyber talent, training is one way to show the workforce you've invested in them, says Jason Gray, the Department of Education's CIO and co-chair of the CIO Council's Workforce Committee.

Digital Government

GSA launches new Digital Corps to attract early-career techies

The first cohort of the new program, which launches in the fall, will focus on pandemic response, the economy, cybersecurity and streamlining government services.

People

Reorganizing for the Biden agenda at OPM

OPM is beefing up its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility office as part of an agency reorganization in support of a wide-ranging executive order covering the federal workforce.

People

Want to lead in IT? Find a subject to master.

The former CIO at the IRS and DHS explains why early-career expertise is the key to successful leadership.