The United States Government has launched a program aimed at attracting young aspiring IT professionals into the Federal Public Service.
The US Digital Corps offers two-year, paid fellowships in Government Departments and Agencies to entry-level talent with skills in critical IT fields such as software engineering, data science, design, and cyber-security.
Hosted by the General Services Administration (GSA), the initiative has been jointly developed by five Federal Government bodies, including the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Office of Personnel Management.
Director of the OSTP, Eric Lander (pictured) said the Federal Government had many important and exciting problems to solve — in science, in technology, in digital innovation — that affected the lives of millions of Americans.
“I’m thrilled to see the creation of the US Digital Corps as a way to give early-career people from all backgrounds the opportunity to serve the country, make a difference, and be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Dr Lander said.
Recruitment is to begin before the end of the year for the first 30 posts in Federal Agencies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; Centres for Medicare and Medicaid; Veterans Affairs; and the GSA.
Successful applicants are to take up their positions in the New Year.
Dr Lander said candidates would be drawn from leading undergraduate programs as well as alternative training pathways such as apprenticeships, boot-camps, and certificate programs, with an emphasis on ensuring diversity in terms of gender, race and ethnicity.
No prior work experience was required.
Washington, 9 September 2021
