Harrisburg, PA – Today, Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver and Secretary of General Services Reggie McNeil provided an update on the progress being made by the Commonwealth’s Hire, Improve, Recruit, and Empower (HIRE) Committee to build a more competitive state government workforce to meet the evolving needs of Pennsylvania’s residents. The Shapiro Administration is working to ensure the delivery of state government services is responsive to the complex and broad needs of Pennsylvanians by recruiting more bilingual workers, expanding opportunities for Pennsylvanians from a variety of backgrounds, like veterans, and expanding access to childcare.
“Pennsylvanians expect state government to deliver results for them, to be effective, responsive, and innovative. We need employees who are driven to serve and bring new ideas and perspectives to the work we do,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “The HIRE Committee is committed to building on Governor Shapiro’s track record of supporting workers and opening the doors of opportunity to pursue careers in public service with the Commonwealth.”
“The Department of General Services (DGS) is proud to support the Governor’s goals in helping to build a stronger Commonwealth workforce that can in turn deliver more efficiently and effectively for their fellow Pennsylvanians. Through impactful initiatives like enhancing workplace accessibility and providing essential resources such as additional single-use restrooms and menstrual products in state facilities, we are building a more flexible and responsive environment for employees and visitors alike,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil.
Governor Shapiro established the HIRE Committee through an executive order in May 2024 to strengthen the Commonwealth’s workforce to deliver better services to all Pennsylvanians. The order prioritizes improvements to recruitment, retention, and development of state employees by ensuring that Commonwealth workplaces are welcoming, adaptive, and forward-thinking. These strategies ensure that state agencies will continue to have high impact employees to lead essential programs and deliver the services that millions of Pennsylvanians use every day.
The order also directs the Office of Administration (OA), Department of Labor and Industry (L&I), DGS, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and Department of Corrections (DOC) to collaborate through the HIRE Committee on specific goal-aligned initiatives. Chaired by Secretary Weaver and comprised of Cabinet secretaries and senior Administration officials, the committee has made rapid progress on many of the goals outlined in the Governor’s executive order.
- Pilot Financial Incentives for Bilingual Employees. Starting in early 2025, L&I will pilot a $1.00 per hour bonus for bilingual employees in certain Unemployment Compensation and PA CareerLink® positions to ensure state government can deliver the services Pennsylvanians rely on. New hires will also be eligible for the hourly-rate incentive.
- Expand Access to Employee Child Care. DGS is managing the expansion of the Keystone Early Learning Center, a year-round childcare facility available to Commonwealth employees. The project, sponsored by the Public Utility Commission and expected to be completed in fall of 2025, will accommodate twice as many families as it currently serves, increasing the Commonwealth’s commitment to employees by providing them with the resources they need to balance work and family life. By expanding childcare options, the Commonwealth is working to retain high-quality employees and keep them in the workforce.
- Support Re-entrant Success through Employment Opportunities. OA and DOC conducted an analysis that identified 44 Commonwealth jobs aligned to DOC training programs for re-entrants. Informational materials about these jobs are being printed and displayed in state correctional institutions, community corrections centers, and parole offices. OA is also working to pilot a re-entrant hiring program later this year.
- Foster Competitive, Integrated Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities. OA and L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) are piloting a new program to connect workers with disabilities to employment opportunities at state agencies. The pilot program has already resulted in the hiring of one OVR customer to a position at the Commonwealth.
- Accessibility Study. DGS is leading an accessibility study to help improve access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities throughout the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex. Recommendations adopted from the accessibility study will build on significant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant updates that DGS has already made or plans to make at the Capitol Complex.
- Increase Access to Single-Use Restrooms. DGS is adding single-use restrooms to Commonwealth buildings to continue building a welcoming, inviting workplace that supports people like individuals with disabilities and visitors with children.
- Offer Free Menstrual Products. DGS has placed menstrual products in every woman’s restroom and single-use restroom in all Commonwealth buildings directly managed by DGS, ensuring that essential hygiene products are readily available to employees and visitors who need them.
- Support Work/Life Balance to Ensure Success. OA sent a message to all Commonwealth employees in September 2024 to remind employees about their paid leave benefits and the ability to use paid sick leave to address mental health issues as appropriate. In addition, the Commonwealth has expanded its resources and support for mental health, substance misuse, and family issues; caring for a sick or disabled loved one; and a concierge service to find help with everyday needs.
What’s Next for HIRE
The Shapiro Administration will continue to pursue initiatives to enhance the Commonwealth's recruitment, hiring, development, and retention of high-performing employees and provide spaces that are welcoming and inclusive to everyone.
- Host a Second Commonwealth Job Fair. OA will host a multi-agency job fair for job seekers in the Harrisburg area on March 5. Last year’s job fair at the Farm Show Complex had over 550 registrants from across the Commonwealth.
- Complete Recommended Accessibility Study Updates. DGS expects to complete its accessibility study in May. DGS will then undertake various design and construction projects to continue improving physical accessibility throughout the Capitol Complex.
- Continue to Add Single-Use Restrooms. DGS will continue to add single-use restrooms in capital projects as appropriate to better meet the needs of employees and visitors.
- Continue to Explore Childcare Expansion. Following the opening of the Keystone Early Learning Center in August 2025, DGS will support other state agencies seeking to sponsor and fund childcare expansion projects in their facilities.
- Provide Mentoring and Networking for Veterans. Over 13,000 Commonwealth employees have served or currently serve in the military. OA and DMVA will launch a new program this year to help recent veterans with a smooth transition from military service to new or continued employment with the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania has approximately 275,000 working-age veterans according to the Department of Labor and Industry.
- Update Employee Benefits Information. OA and the State Employees’ Retirement System have conducted a joint review of all print and online information about retirement benefits, as well as gathered feedback from new hires about their experience navigating the information. The agencies are now working on content revisions to make it easier for employees to understand their retirement options and choose the plan that best meets their goals.
- Improve Language Access and Digital Accessibility. The Commonwealth recently hired its first enterprise language access program manager to enhance delivery of services to Pennsylvanians with limited English proficiency. Additionally, the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) continues to lead and support efforts by state agencies to make their websites and digital content accessible to Pennsylvanians with disabilities.