Harrisburg, PA – Today, Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver provided an update on the Shapiro Administration’s progress under Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024 Hire, Improve, Recruit, and Empower (HIRE) Executive Order. From day one, the Governor and his Administration have prioritized creating real opportunities for hardworking Pennsylvanians to chart their own course, and HIRE has built on that commitment to strengthen the state government workforce and attract the next generation of talent, ensuring the Commonwealth remains one of the state’s top employers.
In the last year, the Shapiro Administration has expanded child care for Commonwealth employees with families, piloted a hiring program for people who previously interacted with the criminal justice system, improved access to services for Pennsylvanians with limited English proficiency, completed a comprehensive accessibility study of the State Capitol Complex to improve inclusivity and useability, and laid the groundwork for an orientation and mentoring program for new hires who are veterans.
“Pennsylvania’s greatest strength is its people. Every Commonwealth employee brings unique experiences, skills, and perspectives that make our workforce stronger and help us deliver better service to the public,” said Secretary Weaver. “The Governor’s HIRE initiative is expanding opportunities for Pennsylvanians with different stories and strengths to join public service and make our government more capable, more resilient, and better able to meet the needs of the people we serve.”
Under HIRE, the Commonwealth is strengthening its workforce:
- Offering Financial Incentives for Bilingual Employees. Following the conclusion of a successful yearlong pilot, the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has made permanent a $1.00 per hour bonus for bilingual employees in certain Unemployment Compensation and PA CareerLink® positions to ensure Pennsylvanians who prefer information in Spanish receive efficient, effective service. Since the pilot began in 2024, calls have been handled by Spanish speaking agents approximately 4 minutes faster than when calls were handled through an interpreter, resulting in approximately 350 hours saved.
- Welcoming Veterans Transitioning to Commonwealth Employment. The Department of Veteran Affairs (DMVA) is leading in the creation of two programs to facilitate networking and provide awareness of programs and benefits available to veterans who are transitioning to employment with the Commonwealth.
- Fostering Reentrant Success through Employment Opportunities. Together with the Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Department of Corrections (DOC) identified 12 job titles particularly suited for those reentering the community after incarceration. Nearly 150 reentrants have applied for open positions among the 12 identified job titles and next week, HIRE will expand to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources after the agency identified 13 job titles appropriate for people reentering the workforce.
- Continuing to Enhance Recruitment: The Shapiro Administration hosted the third annual Commonwealth Job Fair on May 21 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The job fair is the only event of its kind where job seekers can meet with recruiters and hiring managers from over 35 state agencies to learn about career opportunities across the Commonwealth. This year’s job fair drew over 800 registered attendees.
- Expanding Internships, Fellowships, and Apprenticeships: Since 2023, state agencies have hosted more than 35 fellows in policy, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. OA also collaborated with L&I to grow and strengthen the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Summer Internship for college students with disabilities, which welcomed its largest cohort in program history this year with 28 students.
- 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 was eliminated. 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.
This work comes as approximately 24 percent of Commonwealth employees under the Governor's jurisdiction become eligible for retirement in the next five years, highlighting the Shapiro Administration’s focus on attracting, retaining, and supporting a strong workforce that reflects the people of Pennsylvania.
“The HIRE initiative is about creating opportunity and ensuring the Commonwealth is a welcoming place both to work and to receive services,” said Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, DGS is helping build workplaces and public spaces that better support employees, visitors, families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities through investments in accessibility improvements, inclusive facilities, and expanded child care access for Commonwealth employees.”
HIRE is making the Commonwealth’s workforce more accessible and responsive to Pennsylvanians:
- Expanding Access to Child Care: The Keystone Early Learning Center opened a new wing in the Keystone Building in Harrisburg in January 2026 that increased its capacity by 68 — to a total of 162 children. The renovations were led by DGS and funded by the Public Utility Commission as the sponsoring agency for the daycare.
- Enhancing Services for Pennsylvanians with Limited English Proficiency: The Commonwealth’s first-ever language access program manager (LAPM) has designated language access coordinators in each agency who serve as points of contact for developing language access plans. The LAPM also has a web page where Pennsylvanians can access translated materials available from state agencies.
- Increasing Accessibility in State Buildings: DGS continues advancing physical accessibility improvements across the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities with accessible upgraded elevators and adapted door hardware, accessible drinking fountains with bottle fillers, raised and accessible crosswalks, wayfinding signage, and evaluations of accessible entrances and interior pathways.
- Offering Free Menstrual Products: Within the Capitol Complex, DGS has distributed over 20,000 free menstrual products in women’s restrooms and single-use restrooms managed by the agency—including 12,500 tampons and 8,750 pads to ensure that essential hygiene products are readily available to employees and visitors who need them.
- Single Use Restrooms and Improved Accessibility and Dignity for Visitors: Over the last three years, DGS has also completed two fully accessible restroom conversions in the Capitol Complex, as well as four public restrooms and four employee restrooms at the Governor’s Residence, joining more than 300 ADA‑compliant restrooms already in operation throughout its buildings.
Established by the 2024 Executive Order, a committee chaired by Secretary Weaver with cabinet secretaries and senior officials from L&I, DGS, DOC, and DMVA lead the Administration’s work to implement HIRE.
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.
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