The federal government has to compete with the private sector for graduates with post-secondary and graduate degrees, and with competition projected to increase in years ahead, the Merit Systems Protection Board has called on agencies to foster recruitment partnerships with colleges and universities to gain an advantage.
Federal agencies should have contacts at college placement offices to keep them apprised of current and projected vacancies and to ensure students know how to apply, MSPB said.
It said agencies also can foster partnerships at colleges and graduate schools which offer the fields of study agencies need by seeking out opportunities to speak to classes about federal programs or related issues, providing internship programs, and providing case studies for research exercises or capstone course requirements.
MSPB said forging these partnerships – along with the use of more formal student employment and loan repayment programs – could help agencies meet hiring challenges that will almost certainly become greater in years ahead.
