The Partnership, EY Release Public-Private Talent Exchange Benefits Report
The Partnership for Public Service (Partnership), in collaboration with Ernst & Young LLP (EY), released a report on September 27, 2021, outlining an exchange of cross-sector talent to strengthen the private workforce and foster federal enterprise. Further, the Partnership establishes best practices for design and implementation of talent exchange programs coordinated with recommendations for Congress.
The Partnership and EY stress the importance of a program across the public and private sectors to resolve issues and limitations each group encounters. Federal agencies face difficulties evolving with industry expertise, and private agencies fall short in retaining their best employees, disturbing the attraction of top talent. Some agencies and components, such as NASA and VHA, were highlighted for effectively taking advantage of private-public talent collaborations.
“Getting to see how healthcare is delivered outside of the VA and how internally those organizations function really was an eye opener in recognizing how dedicated our staff is to the mission of taking care of our vets and to delivering high-quality service,” stated James McLain, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Milwaukee VA Medical Center, “This reinforced to me that I want to be a part of my VA medical center. The grass is not greener on the other side.”
The Partnership offered best practices for agencies including:
Identify their needs for a talent exchange and establish an oversight in its development.
Produce pilot programs to analyze benefits and challenges before solidifying with Congress.
Dedicate time to program administration, remain wary of political agendas, and educate partners on potential conflicts of interest.
Professional development and knowledge dissemination shall remain at the forefront of the exchange.
Recent years have highlighted challenges to developing a solid talent base, from the COVID-19 pandemic and effects of climate change to racial injustice and economic turmoil. The report notes that seeing how a different sector approaches these issues can provide insight into unfamiliar perspectives and experiences.
“You’re forever changed. You think differently. Your perspective is different. Your experience is different. And so, you, as an employee, make better contributions and make better decisions,” added Kelly Elliott, Director of Business Operations, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The Partnership and EY explain that, while Congress has in some ways addressed the need for exchange programs, statutory authorities that do not provide adequate flexibility for agencies can run into implementation concerns that undermine their effectiveness and ethical considerations. To address this and streamline exchange authorities, the reports provides recommendations for Congress, including :
At the outset, work with agencies that require an exchange program on proper procedures that will cultivate an effective outcome.
Lawmakers introducing legislation to establish a government-wide program will allow agencies to place emphasis on crucial requirements, including time to amend the program before implementation.
Appropriate funding to ensure success of the exchange.
Most recently, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 aimed at boosting private-sector innovation in partnership with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) modernizing initiatives. The Act provided infrastructure for an innovative public-private talent exchange program (PPTE) that benefits military personnel and identifies financial conflicts of interest. The program highlights 6-month, nationwide assignments to optimize efficiency and improve industry-government relations.
As previously reported in FEDmanager, the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget released a memo outlining a process to “establish a long-term vision for modernizing the Federal government,” July 31, 2020, following former President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on the topic. OPM and OMB included a joint industry and federal sector day as a necessary component to develop best practices in federal hiring and employee development.
The Partnership position also includes an advisory – a prosperous exchange of talent requires development strategy, management effort, and investment of resources, and lacking an appropriate plan of approach could limit exchanges’ impact.
