Harrisburg, PA – To mark the one year anniversary of Governor Shapiro’s executive order to strengthen the Commonwealth state employee workforce, today the Shapiro Administration is announcing the completion of key milestones to improve recruitment, hiring, retention, and development so that Commonwealth agencies can continue to attract highly qualified and dedicated public servants to address the needs of Pennsylvanians.
Initiatives to hire more bilingual workers, expand access to childcare, and engage with job seekers are delivering real results that build on Governor Shapiro’s goal of making the Commonwealth a top employer.
"Pennsylvania state government should be a place where the best and brightest want to work; a place where every Pennsylvanian, no matter their background, can see themselves thriving in meaningful careers," said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. "Through the work of the HIRE Committee and the actions taken through the Governor’s executive order, we are making tangible progress in creating a workforce that is as diverse, dynamic, and innovative as the people we serve."
“At DGS, we’re proud to play a key role in supporting Governor Shapiro’s vision of making the Commonwealth a top-tier employer by investing in the people who serve Pennsylvania every day,” said Secretary of General Services Reggie McNeil. “From expanding access to quality childcare to improving physical accessibility and ensuring dignity through free menstrual products and single-use restrooms, our work is focused on creating a workplace that values every employee and meets the needs of a modern workforce.”
Since the start of his Administration, Governor Shapiro has created real opportunities for hardworking Pennsylvanians to pursue good-paying jobs and rewarding careers in public service. On his first full day in office, he instituted skills-based hiring to emphasize work experience rather than college degree requirements. The Shapiro Administration has also expanded internship, fellowship, and apprenticeship programs to provide hands-on learning and an introduction to public service.
With approximately 24 percent of Commonwealth employees under the Governor's jurisdiction being eligible for retirement in the next 5 years, the Shapiro Administration’s HIRE Committee is focused on attracting the next generation of public servants, competing with other employers in a competitive labor market, recruiting and hiring for historically hard to fill jobs, and ensuring the Commonwealth's workforce is representative of the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of Pennsylvania's residents.
Over the past year, the HIRE Committee has built on this foundation through targeted initiatives and pilot programs that include:
- Eliminating Waiting Periods for Benefits. Effective August 1, 2025, the waiting period for new hires to enroll dependents into PEBTF medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage without paying additional out of pocket costs will be eliminated. Additionally, new hires will be able to enroll in prescription drug benefits without a waiting period. This change means new hires no longer have to worry about gaps in coverage for themselves or their loved ones and they can keep more money in their pockets.
- Offering Financial Incentives for Bilingual Employees. Launched in April, this pilot program at L&I provides a $1.00 per hour bonus – almost $1,000 more over the course of the 6-month pilot – for bilingual employees in certain Unemployment Compensation and PA CareerLink® positions to ensure Pennsylvanians who speak a language other than English receive efficient, effective service. New hires are also eligible for the hourly rate incentive.
- Fostering Re-entrant Success through Employment Opportunities. OA is piloting a hiring program with the Department of Corrections to promote pathways to employment in state government for people who have previously interacted with the criminal justice system. After identifying Commonwealth jobs aligned to DOC training programs for re-entrants, OA and DOC will partner with the Department of Transportation to implement the new for hiring in a total of nine DOT positions.
- Hosting the Second Annual Commonwealth Job Fair. OA hosted the second multi-agency job fair for job seekers in the Harrisburg area in March, attracting over 1,000 registrants to learn about open positions and opportunities to join public service. OA is also planning hiring events for former federal employees who are qualified for critical vacancies at state agencies.
- Enhancing Services for Pennsylvanians with Limited English Proficiency. After hiring the first enterprise language access program manager, OA has prioritized expanding technical assistance and training for agency staff on procuring high-quality translations and language services, supporting agencies as they develop language access plans, and building open and continuous communication with agencies to distribute translated materials and information to Pennsylvanians who need it most.
- Promoting Employee Work/Life Balance. The Commonwealth has expanded assistance for mental health and substance misuse issues, family caregiving, and more to support the wellbeing of all employees. OA is also reminding employees about their ability to use paid sick leave to address mental health issues as appropriate.
- Expanding 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.
- Improving Accessibility of Commonwealth Buildings. DGS continues to lead an accessibility study that is the first step in helping to improve access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities throughout the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex. Design options identified in 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. DGS expects to complete its accessibility study in the coming months and will then undertake a variety of design and construction projects to continue improving physical accessibility throughout the Capitol Complex.
- Offering Free Menstrual Products. DGS has placed menstrual products in woman’s restrooms and single-use restrooms throughout Commonwealth buildings directly managed by the agency to ensure that essential hygiene products are readily available to employees and visitors who need them. Since the creation of the HIRE executive order, DGS has installed more than 230 dispensers in restroom facilities across more than 30 locations.
- Continuing to Add Single-Use Restrooms. DGS has added 12 single-use restrooms in state government facilities following the issuance of the HIRE executive order. The agency will continue to add single-use restrooms in capital projects as appropriate to better meet the needs of employees and visitors.
The HIRE Committee is chaired by Secretary Weaver and includes cabinet secretaries and senior Administration officials from the L&I, DGS, DMVA, and DOC.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is always hiring! Job seekers can go to employment.pa.gov and browse hundreds of vacancies, apply for openings, and be notified when new jobs are available. Pennsylvanians can also explore internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships through the Commonwealth at the Launch Your Career page.