Bolstering Human Capital: How The Public Sector Can Beat The Coming Talent Crisis

When asked to name the top challenges facing states, few observers would put forward the public work force. It's just not a subject that gets much attention - even among state leaders. Yet many states today face a looming human capital crisis. State work forces are getting older and preparing for retirement. In many states the average state employee is more than 10 years older than in the private sector. Meanwhile, a shrinking talent pool overall means states will face increasingly stiff competition for talented workers from the private and nonprofit sectors. At the same time, the skill sets needed by state governments are becoming more sophisticated. The report provides guidance on how to beat the coming talent crisis by modernizing outdated hiring and firing policies. It also includes examples of innovative solutions from national and state agencies.