ClearanceJobs recently hosted the third episode of The Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSA) of their Future of the IC Workforce Technology and Talent Transformation Series, supported by GDIT. The series addresses the Intelligence Community’s need to attract and retain a diverse, skilled workforce in a fast-evolving field.
In this episode, Lindy Kyzer, Director of PR and Content at ClearanceJobs, moderated a discussion with Loren Schulman, Associate Director, Performance and Personnel Management at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Stephanie O’Neill, Performance Manager at OMB. The conversation focused on significant workforce initiatives, including skills-based hiring and reforms to the federal hiring process.
A key takeaway from the episode is the push for skills-based hiring to address the growing demand for cybersecurity talent in the IC. By moving away from degree-based qualifications and focusing on practical skills, federal agencies can better tap into diverse talent pools, especially in high-demand technical areas like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Schulman and O’Neill also discussed OMB and the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) joint efforts to simplify federal hiring. Their initiatives include plain-language job announcements, skills-based assessments, and reducing time to hire, all while aligning with Trusted Workforce 2.0, a major reform aimed at modernizing security clearance processes.
If you’re interested in learning more about workforce transformation in the national security space, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for insights on federal hiring practices, future opportunities in national security careers, and the evolving role of skills-based hiring in the IC.
