Trump admin seeks tech and young talent after cutting workforce.

The Trump administration, along with the Office of Personnel Management, has recently announced plans for federal agencies to step up their efforts in recruiting early-career professionals and technology workers. This move comes as the government prepares for fiscal year 2027 and marks a shift towards targeted hiring after several months of workforce reductions across various federal agencies, as reported by Federal News Network. According to the outlet, a memorandum released on July 30 by the OPM outlines the directive for agencies to ensure that at least one-third of all federal hires during fiscal year 2027 are early-career employees.

The memo also calls for a wider recruitment of technology professionals and a more extensive use of governmentwide hiring tools in order to streamline the hiring process. This initiative presents a potential for recent graduates and early-career professionals looking for opportunities in the federal government, especially in fields such as technology, cybersecurity, and other critical areas. The OPM has suggested that agencies utilize programs such as the Pathways Program, the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program, and the newly launched USAJobs early-career talent network to aid in their recruitment efforts.

Additionally, the agency is expanding its Tech Force initiative, which aims to fill temporary two-year technology positions with approximately 1,000 employees. So far, 300 individuals have joined the program, according to an OPM spokesperson. OPM Director Scott Kupor stated, "Many agencies have visited college campuses in the past, so what we are doing here is not entirely new.

However, what sets this effort apart is our ability to capture all these individuals in a talent network and share them across the entire government." This hiring push comes after a significant decrease in the federal workforce. As reported, the government has seen a net loss of approximately 271,600 employees since early 2025 due to widespread workforce reductions and limited hiring. OPM data also shows a decline in the percentage of federal employees under the age of 30, dropping from 9% in 2024 to 8% in 2025.

Despite this decrease, hiring activity remains low. OPM data shows a 42.8% decline in USAJobs postings between 2024 and 2025, with most of the current job openings concentrated in the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. In addition to expanding the use of shared hiring certificates, the administration aims to fill at least 60% of federal positions through this process in 2027.

This system allows OPM to create a centralized list of qualified applicants that multiple agencies can utilize instead of conducting individual recruitment efforts. Kupor also mentioned that, "OPM is taking the lead in recruiting for these roles and putting in a significant effort to reach out to potential candidates." The July 30 memo also directs agencies to prioritize hiring outside of the Washington metropolitan area and incorporate validated technical assessments into the hiring process. Agencies are expected to complete detailed hiring forecasts before the start of fiscal year 2027, as OPM and the Office of Management and Budget review governmentwide staffing plans.

In conclusion, the Trump administration and the OPM are taking proactive steps to boost recruitment efforts for early-career professionals and technology workers in the federal government, signaling a change in focus after months of workforce reductions. This presents an opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals to secure employment in fields such as technology and cybersecurity, and agencies are encouraged to utilize various programs and hiring tools to aid in the process.