By Jon S Kim, VP of Solutions and Services
As federal agencies face several challenges, including an aging workforce, a skills gap, and a need for more agile and flexible workforce, staff augmentation can be a valuable tool to help address these challenges.
Explore 7 key trends that are likely to drive the future demand of staff augmentation in the agencies:
- Increased Use of Remote Work and Telecommuting: The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many organizations, including the federal government, to allow more remote work. This trend might continue, broadening the talent pool available for staff augmentation as geographical barriers decrease.
- Greater Reliance on Digital Skills: As government services become increasingly digitized, there could be a higher demand for staff with skills in areas such as data science, cybersecurity, and software development. This could lead to more staff augmentation in these specialized areas.
- Rise of AI and Automation: The continued rise of AI and automation could reshape the future of staff augmentation in several ways. On one hand, it could reduce the need for human staff in certain repetitive tasks, while on the other hand, it could increase the need for staff who can manage and work with these technologies.
- Focus on Agile Methodologies: Agile methodologies, which have been widely adopted in the private sector, might become more prevalent in the government sector. This could lead to a more project-based approach to staff augmentation, where teams are formed for specific tasks and disbanded upon completion.
- Regulatory Changes: Changes in laws and regulations could also impact the future of staff augmentation. For example, changes to procurement laws could make it easier or harder for government agencies to use staff augmentation.
- Increased Diversity: There could be a greater emphasis on diversity in staff augmentation, as part of broader societal shifts towards more inclusive workplaces.
- Attention to Employee Well-being: The importance of employee well-being has been increasingly recognized. This could influence staff augmentation strategies, with more emphasis on providing augmented staff with supportive working conditions.
In addition to these benefits, staff augmentation can also help agencies to save money on hiring and training costs. Most notably, it can provide access to a wider pool of qualified talents to respond quickly to changes in work demand.
Though these specific trends will depend on various factors, including changes in technology, labor market trends, and policy decisions, the overall future demand of staff augmentation in the federal government is strong.
