It is Time to Act: Changing the Way We Recruit and Retain Information Technology Professionals
Abstract
The federal government is currently fully engaged in an information technology labor crisis that it can't afford to lose. With billions of dollars being spent on the development and acquisition of equipment to support the transformed force of the 21st century, it is imperative that effort also be focused on developing an IT workforce to match the technology. There are many factors contributing to the worker shortfall from an aging workforce to negative perceptions of federal service, but with so many of the Joint Vision 2020 and Transformation concepts hinging on the use of IT to enhance operational capabilities, a solution must be found soon. Study after study has come to almost the exact same conclusions on the critical issues of recruiting, training, and compensation, yet virtually no action has been taken. As with any reform package, there are any number of options available, but to succeed, IT reform must include a radical change in personnel management, a compensation package that reflects the professional status of the IT employees, a plan to keep employee skills current, and a change in how information technology is valued. Any number of reasons can be given for the inaction, but the factor most often stated is that the reform proposals are too expensive. While cost must be considered, General Miegs' summed it up best by saying 'Many say we don't have the money to do this, but by a factor of 100 we do not have the money to repair the damage if we don't'.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA400731
Entities
People
- John A. Wilcox
Organizations
- United States Army War College