Policy, People, and the Future of the Cleared Workforce

Cleared Recruiting Four panelists sit on stage in front of a backdrop with repeated "ClearanceJobs" logos. The panelist on the far left, a woman with long hair wearing a leopard print jacket and black pants, is speaking into a microphone and gesturing with her hand. Next to her, a man in a blue blazer and light blue shirt sits with his hands clasped. The third panelist, a woman in a green blazer and black pants, holds a microphone and a notebook on her lap. The panelist on the far right, a man in a gray blazer and white shirt, looks down at a paper in his hands. In the foreground, the backs of audience members' heads are visible. A small table with water bottles is positioned between the second and third panelists.

ClearanceJobs Connect 2025 opened with a powerhouse panel featuring members of the ClearanceJobs Policy Advisory Board: Vice Admiral Bob Sharp, USN (Ret.), Jamie Jones Miller, and Charlie Phalen. Their conversation cut to the heart of today’s national security workforce: success depends on both people and policy.

People First

Sharp, former NGA Director, reminded the audience that talent remains the nation’s greatest strength. He urged attendees to use events like Connect not just for conversation but for connection—expanding networks and carrying new ideas back to their organizations. He also warned against short-sighted cuts, such as eliminating probationary hires, which risk eroding the cleared talent pipeline. “It’s not about what happens here—it’s about what happens next,” he emphasized.

Technology with a Human Lens

Jones Miller, Dean and CEO of Northeastern University Arlington, spoke about the rapid advance of AI and the skills gap it creates. While data and digital fluency are essential, she cautioned that technical expertise alone cannot carry the mission. “Don’t lose sight of the human skills,” she said, pointing to leadership, adaptability, and the ability to integrate technology effectively. Building pipelines through education, co-ops, and academia-industry partnerships, she added, is vital to preparing the next generation.

Clearance Policy in Motion

Phalen, former DCSA Director, addressed the long-running frustrations with clearance reform. He underscored the importance of Trusted Workforce 2.0, which replaces one-time vetting with continuous evaluation. Trust, he argued, is not static. It must be maintained over time through adaptive policies and flexibility—especially for contractors and industry partners who shoulder much of the cleared workload.

Building the Bench

The panel closed with a call to action: invest in the future workforce. With fewer than 10% of federal employees under 30, the need to attract and retain young and mid-career professionals is urgent. Whether through clearance-ready co-op programs or rethinking clearance allocations, the speakers urged bold steps to close the gap.

The keynote set a clear tone: collaboration across government, industry, and academia will decide how the cleared community meets tomorrow’s challenges. As Sharp put it, “There’s nothing more important than our people and our partnerships.”

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Phoebe Wells is the Public Relations & Partnerships Marketing Manager at ClearanceJobs and loves every aspect of her role. Creating content and working with the CJ team to connect cleared candidates with employers is incredibly rewarding, as the work ClearanceJobs does ultimately supports the mission of the U.S. As the daughter of a veteran and former cleared worker, she knows the sacrifices security and defense professionals make. She is honored to assist them in leveling up their careers. Plus, she gets to work from home in the Adirondack Mountains with her partner and two huskies!